Sidney Churgel

Sept 3, 1920 - Jan 18, 2018

Sidney Churgel, our family patriarch, slipped away quietly early Thursday morning, January 18th.

He was a dedicated husband, father and friend to a large extended family and friends. Sid was a one-of-akind man who hated gossip, enjoyed a good argument and loved to play devil’s advocate. None can believe that his tough heart will no longer be beating.

Born in the Bronx, a child of the depression, he left high school to help support his family, beginning a work ethic that lasted his entire life. He was especially proud that his family never had to take care of him financially. He left Coast Guard training to go and ‘do something’ after Pearl Harbor and spent WWII in the Merchant Marine as a fireman. After the war, he married the love of his life and moved to California to find a union job. He was a member of the Web Pressmans Union #4 for 37 years working for the Examiner and Chronicle printing the newspapers. For 30 years he was his union’s representative to the Welfare Committee, served for 10 years as secretary-treasurer. He served 20 years on the Board of Directors of the SF Newspaper Credit Union.

In retirement he enjoyed cruises with his beloved wife to Alaska, Australia, New Zealand, Panama Canal, Israel. He loved road trips, particularly going off the main roads and taking a turn just to see what was down there. He was fond of saying: ‘Go out and make happy memories.’

He was predeceased by his wife and loving companion of 60 years, Harriet Churgel. He will be missed by his children: Ellen Waskey of San Ramon, Peter Churgel and his wife, Kay, of Berkeley and Sally Churgel of Sebastopol; his grandchildren: Dara Waskey and David Waskey, and his great-grandchildren: Cole, Jacob and Ava of Danville.

We will plan a memorial in the spring. In memory of our father, we ask that you please stop smoking. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please make a donation to any group that supports our diversity and democracy and civil liberties.