John Lawrence Culvert's Obituary
John Lawrence Culvert, age 91, of Lewes, Delaware, passed away on Monday, September 12, 2016. Beloved husband of Gertrude Frenz Culvert, treasured father of Christopher John, Westwood, NJ, Kevin John and wife Charlice, Guilford, Ct., Timothy John and wife Linda, Rutherford, NJ, Kenneth John and wife Terry, Barnegat, NJ, Robert John and wife Judy, Montvale, NJ, and Jennifer Jon and husband Michael Eringis, Burlington, VT. Grandfather of Jason and wife Kerry, Megan and husband Peter Graziano, Liam, Andrew, Alison and husband Joseph Salemo, Curtis, Jennifer, Gwen and Imogen. Great-grandfather of Abigail, Samantha, Jack and James.
After a wonderful journey of sixty-five years of a loving marriage, and being the center of a family that he considered his finest achievement, Jack passed away on September 12th, 2016 surrounded by his wife and children. Jack was born in Orange, NJ, on April 2nd, 1925, to Dudley and Agnes Culvert. After the loss of his parents at an early age, his Aunt Margie and Uncle Edgar Brennen generously welcomed him into their home and family where he joined his cousins Edgar, William and Barry.
Jack was always a generous contributor of his time and talents to his community. As a resident of Oradell, NJ, he served as a volunteer fireman for forty-nine years, fire chief, fire inspector and was always willing to offer his talents and time to anyone and any good cause. When Jack and Gertrude moved to Lewes in 1994, he began his community service anew with The Lightship Overfalls. He was among the original volunteers that formed “The Dirty Hands Gang” and transformed the Overfalls into the National Historic Landmark it is today.
Upon graduating from high school, Jack enlisted in the Navy and served as a gunnery officer on liberty ships during World War II. His commission took him around the world from Murmansk, Russia to Okinawa, Japan. When he was discharged from the service Jack became an apprentice at Bendix Corporation, Teterboro, NJ, and advanced to journeyman. After a twenty-five year career as a tool and die maker, Jack accepted the position of Operations Manager at the New York Academy of Medicine, New York, NY, where he cared for his staff like family, and his building as the jewel in the crown of New York architecture that it is.
Through his life Jack was lucky enough to have a true friend and partner in his wife, Gertrude, whom he loved faithfully, a family he cherished, and communities for which he cared and cared for him.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 24, 2016 at Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE, where visitation will begin at 10:00 AM. You are welcome to join the Culvert family in the celebration of Jack’s life.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Lightship Overfalls at www.overfalls.org.
Please sign the online guest register located on this site.
FLORIST NOTE: PLEASE DELIVER ALL FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS BY 3PM, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016 TO OUR LEWES LOCATION.
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