Norman E. Kugel's Obituary
Norman E. Kugel, Sr., "Dad, Pop, Uncle Norm, Norm, Sr., and Mr. Norm," age 99, of Lewes, DE and formerly of Newark and Hockessin, DE, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, October 11, 2010.
His wife of 62 years, Ruth Naomi Kugel, passed away in 1998.
Norman Sr. was born in Philadelphia, PA on September 15, 1911, son of the late Edward and Mary Anna Kugel. He proudly served in the National Guard for 16 years as a NCO. He first worked in Philadelphia as an elevator operator and cab driver during the Depression. Later he made thermometers and was a precision glass blower.
Norm Sr. worked for the DuPont Co. at Chambers Works in New Jersey as an Industrial Engineer for 34 years. After he retired from DuPont, he became a "meat carver" at the former "Three Little Bakers Dinner Theater in Hockessin, DE, retiring at age 89.
Throughout his life, Norman Sr. volunteered for many programs. He wa active with the PTA culminating as State President of the PTA for two years in the 1970's. He also was successful in starting the Crossing Guards for students throughout Delaware. He moved to Brookside in Newark when it was first built. He was a Boy Scout Leader and Little League Coach. He also managed the DuPont Fish and Game Club at Louviers for four years. He was on many community committees that helped shape Brookside into a family community. Later he became very active with AARP. He was the State Director of AARP's Defensive Driving Program. As the State became more populated, he finally was the AARP Defensive Driving Program for Southern New Castle County until age 91.
Mr. Kugel, Sr. was a Mason for 62 years at the Hiram Lodge in Newark. He loved sports of all kinds, cars, reading, politics, traveling, education, horseback riding, and hunting.
Mr. Kugel is survived by his one daughter, Karen Jean Kidwell, who resides in Kent, WA; his son, Norman E. Kugel, Jr. and his daughter-in-law Susan A. Kugel with whom he lived for the past six years. He had two grandsons: Jason Edward Kugel (his wife Marianne Kugel) and Andrew Haines Kugel, all of Florida; a great-granddaughter, Emily Rose Kugel daughter of Jason and Marianne. He had one step-grandson, J. Adam Wyatt (his wife Kathleen Wyatt) and one step-great-grandson, Sean Adams Wyatt all of Gaithersburg, MD. He is also survived by two nephews: James Scarduzio (his wife Florie) of Cherry Hill, NJ and Elmo Wolf of Lansdale, PA. He had two nieces Sharlynn Strock from South Carolina and Sherry Wolf of Florida.
Norm Sr. was loved by his friends at both Arby's in Lewes and IHOP in Rehoboth Beach. He was "Dad" and "Grandpa" to both younger extended family and friends that he knew throughout his life.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Thursday, October 14, 2010 at 2:00 PM at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE. Friends may call at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 163, Salisbury, MD 21803 or the American Diabetes Association, 100 West 10th Street, Suite 1002, Wilmington, DE 19801.
Please sign online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com
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