KUGELMAN - Lawrence J. of New Milford, formerly of Hasbrouck Heights, on July 28, 2009. Larry was born in 1915 to Madeline (Behr) and Emil in West Hoboken, New Jersey, the sixth of 10 children. His family moved to nearby Weehawken in 1916, where he remained until marrying. He attended Saint Michael's High School in Union City, and it was there that he met Rita Adair, his beloved wife of 66 years who predeceased him in January 2007.
Larry began his professional career at the Equitable Life Assurance Company while studying accounting at Pace University in New York City. In 1941 he joined the Western Electric Company as an accountant and ultimately became head of the company’s national cost accounting program–a position he held until his retirement in 1981. During these years he and Rita raised nine children, were active in the church and community, and formed strong, lifelong friendships. Larry was a member of the Holy Name Society and Knights of Columbus. He was also active in the Telephone Pioneers of America–a philanthropic organization of phone company retirees–and served as president of the local chapter.
To those who knew and loved Larry, these accomplishments were but one small measure of the man. Larry was first and foremost a loving, committed husband and dedicated father whose life and actions were guided by the highest values: honesty, integrity, commitment, hard work, and self-discipline. He was a steady source of calm, clear-sighted counsel in times of trouble, and his example was a source of strength and wisdom for his children, relatives, and friends.
Larry is survived by his loving children: Lawrence and Dulcie Kugelman, Robert and Diane Kugelman, MaryEllen Carabello, Kathleen Fazzari, Patricia and Martin Kafafian, Rita Dettmar, Veronica and Brian Danahy, and his sixteen grandchildren and two great- grandchildren. His daughter Nancy and son Joseph preceded him in death as did his great-grandson Matthew. Funeral service Monday, 9AM from the Volk Leber Funeral Home, 268 Kinderkamack Rd., Oradell. Then to St. Joseph's RC Church, Oradell, for a 10AM Mass of Christian Burial. Interment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington. Family and friends are invited to visit Sunday 2-6 PM.