Obituaries

John Brucker Jr.

John Brucker Jr., 84, of Longboat Key and Orchard Park, N.Y., died July 28.

Born May 2, 1925, in Wasserburg am Inn, Germany, Mr. Brucker moved to Buffalo, N.Y., with his family when he was 2. He graduated with honors with a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Buffalo.

Mr. Brucker served in the U.S. Army during World War II and earned a purple heart.

For 36 years, Mr. Brucker was a principal in Wilson, Klaes, Brucker and Worden, a mechanical-electrical engineering company. He was a life member of the New York State Society of Professional Engineers, which named him 1997 Engineer of the Year. He was also a life member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers.

Mr. Brucker was an avid sailor, skier and bridge player. He spent winters at Seaplace.

Mr. Brucker is survived by his wife of 49 years, Eleanor; son, John Christopher, of Hamburg, N.Y.; daughter, Beth Brucker-Kane, of Saratoga Springs, N.Y.; sister, Edeltrude Hill, of Hamburg, N.Y.; and four grandchildren.

The family received friends Friday, July 31, and held a memorial service Saturday, Aug. 1, in Orchard Park. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org.

David W. Kendall Jr.

David W. Kendall Jr., 70, of McCormick, S.C., and Cortez, and formerly of Longboat Key, died July 16.

Born March 10, 1939, in Detroit, Michigan, Mr. Kendall graduated from Andover Academy, in Massachusetts, attended Princeton University and graduated from the University of Detroit. While living in Canada, he enjoyed sailing on Lake Ontario and racing his various sailboats. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Yacht Club.

Mr. Kendall retired from Manulife Financial at the age of 55 and moved with his wife, Judy, to Longboat Key. Mr. Kendall was active in the community, volunteering at Mote Marine and the Longboat Key Center for the Arts. He will be remembered as a man of good humor, quick with a joke and a smile.

Mr. Kendall was preceded in death by his wife of 38 years, Judy. Mr. Kendall is survived by his wife, Peggy; daughter, Erica Reiching; son, David W. Kendall III; stepson, Dean Henger; stepdaughters, Jill Wayne and Tracey Henger; six grandchildren; and four step-grandchildren.

A celebration of Mr. Kendall’s life will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Longboat Key Hilton Beachfront Resort, 4711 Gulf of Mexico Drive.  

Carleton Merrill Stewart Jr.

Memorial contributions in honor of Mr. Stewart can be made to the Auxiliary Coast Guard of Longboat Key.

Send contributions to the Longboat Key Flotilla 82, Fc-82 D7, 513 Sloop Lane, Longboat Key, Fla., 34228.