BRADFORD, PA – Gerald C. Newburg, 88, a loving husband, father, Papa and server of the Lord, died peacefully in his home on Wednesday, September 5, 2018.
Born on July 12, 1930 in Warren, he was the son of Lawrence and Lillian (Peterson) Newburg. He was a 1948 graduate of Sheffield High School.
He enlisted in the United States Army on February 5, 1952. He served in Korea as a staff sergeant and was awarded a purple heart. He was honorably discharged on November 5, 1953.
Upon his return to Sheffield in November 1953, he fell in love with Marilyn Elvina Benson, the girl who grew up down the street. They were married on June 5, 1955 and together had five children and a 38-year marriage before her death in 1993.
Jerry, as he was affectionately referred to by friends and members of the church, spent his professional career as Co-owner of Newburg and Son Grocery Store in Sheffield where he was famous for saying “where his family ate the best and sold the rest”. He worked as Manager at Quality Markets in Bradford, and then Route Supervisor at Stroehmann Bakery before retiring in 1992. Up until his last days, Jerry still knew what tag color would provide the freshest bread for any given day – an endearing skill that always brought a smile to the faces of family and friends.
Jerry spent much of the final decade of his life with his girlfriend, Dorothy Kuhn of Bradford. Together they enjoyed countless meals, afternoon movies and drives around their beautiful state of Pennsylvania. He often joked he was Dorothy’s eyes and she was his legs.
He also loved his morning “coffee club” with next door neighbors, Mike and Marne McAvoy, and friends, a tradition he fulfilled even on the day of his passing.
Jerry spent his life dedicated to serving and loving the Lord. He was a member of the First Wesleyan Church, and over the years served at other churches.
Surviving is one daughter Constance (John) McCracken of Jamestown NY, four sons, Daniel (Denise) Newburg, of Gardener KS, Stephen (Donna) Newburg, of State College, Thomas (Martha)Newburg, of Hillsborough NC, and James (Tracey) Newburg, of Garner NC, 15 grandchildren, Stacy, Kelly, Sarah, Jerry, Christopher, Eric, Emma, Rebecca, Josie, Rachael, Margaret, James, Laura, Katherine and Jenna, one great-grandchild Blake, and several nieces and nephews.
Jerry was the last survivor of his generation and his wife’s generation. He was preceded in death by his wife, an infant daughter Susan Marie, and one sister, Janet (Richard) Hause.
Family will receive friends on Saturday September 8, 2018, from 11:00am to 12:30pm at the First Wesleyan Church, 692 South Kendall Avenue, Bradford, at 12:30pm a funeral service will be held with Pastor Terri Niver, and Pastor Mike McAvoy, Co officiating. Committal services and full Military Honors will follow at 2:30pm in Sheffield Cemetery in Sheffield.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.
Memorial contributions, if desired may be given to the First Wesleyan Church.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com