1934
William
2016
William Charles Schunmann
August 24, 1934 — February 28, 2016
William Charles “Bill” Schunmann, passed away suddenly on February 28, 2016 in his home in Vero Beach, FL while fighting a courageous battle against Leukemia. Bill was born in 1934 in Millbury, MA, the son of William Charles Schunmann Sr and Nellie Norcliffe Gaucher Schunmann.
After graduating from Millbury High School in 1952, Bill enlisted in the US Navy and was stationed in Japan as a meteorologist. Upon discharge he enrolled in the business program at Clark University in Worcester, MA, where he also studied Geography. In 1962 Bill started work as a production supervisor at Rogers Corporation, a Connecticut-based manufacturer of composite materials, from which he retired in 2001 as Vice President of International Marketing.
Bill will be remembered for his success in business, his joy in hosting parties, gourmet cooking, sharing his travels with family, his luck (especially in playing cards) and most of all his love for the ocean.
Bill is survived by his dedicated wife Wai Lang, (Winnie aka “SP”) Lau, MD of Vero Beach, FL; his "darling daughter" Jessica Cohen, her loving husband Ronald Cohen, and granddaughter Sayre Scarlett Schunmann Cohen, whom he fondly referred to as “the kid”, all of Mifflinburg, PA; his two loyal and devoted sisters, Elizabeth (Betty) Kozij of Warwick, RI and Janet Needham and her thoughtful husband David Needham of Millbury, MA. Bill will also be missed by his adoring Aunt Sis, Margaret Gaucher of Melbourne, FL; caring nieces, grand-nieces, nephews, and friends and colleagues both home and abroad, especially in Europe and Japan.
In addition to Bill's parents he was preceded in death by his dear sister Dorothy Ann Sjogren and his beloved uncle, mentor and friend, Commander John Gaucher.
Bill’s wish was to have his ashes scattered off the Connecticut coast. An excerpt from “Humble Ships at Sea” (author unknown), which Bill provided at the sea burial service for his favorite Uncle John, brings his passage full circle:
‘for I am but a little ship on a great bounding sea and only you rule the tides and course of destiny.’
A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
Bill’s family would like to acknowledge the compassionate staff of the Indian River Hospital and the Scully Welsh Cancer Center of Vero Beach, who provided him excellent care. Also, the family wishes to give special thanks to Bill’s Vero Beach, FL friends and his Noank, CT Shipyard “buddies on the ramp” for buoying his spirits. Memorial contributions are encouraged. ‘Work Vessels for Veterans,’which provides vets with the necessary tools to embark upon their civilian careers or educational pursuits is a suggested non-profit organization Bill enthusiastically supported: http://workvesselsforveterans.org ; (860) 536-0199.
After graduating from Millbury High School in 1952, Bill enlisted in the US Navy and was stationed in Japan as a meteorologist. Upon discharge he enrolled in the business program at Clark University in Worcester, MA, where he also studied Geography. In 1962 Bill started work as a production supervisor at Rogers Corporation, a Connecticut-based manufacturer of composite materials, from which he retired in 2001 as Vice President of International Marketing.
Bill will be remembered for his success in business, his joy in hosting parties, gourmet cooking, sharing his travels with family, his luck (especially in playing cards) and most of all his love for the ocean.
Bill is survived by his dedicated wife Wai Lang, (Winnie aka “SP”) Lau, MD of Vero Beach, FL; his "darling daughter" Jessica Cohen, her loving husband Ronald Cohen, and granddaughter Sayre Scarlett Schunmann Cohen, whom he fondly referred to as “the kid”, all of Mifflinburg, PA; his two loyal and devoted sisters, Elizabeth (Betty) Kozij of Warwick, RI and Janet Needham and her thoughtful husband David Needham of Millbury, MA. Bill will also be missed by his adoring Aunt Sis, Margaret Gaucher of Melbourne, FL; caring nieces, grand-nieces, nephews, and friends and colleagues both home and abroad, especially in Europe and Japan.
In addition to Bill's parents he was preceded in death by his dear sister Dorothy Ann Sjogren and his beloved uncle, mentor and friend, Commander John Gaucher.
Bill’s wish was to have his ashes scattered off the Connecticut coast. An excerpt from “Humble Ships at Sea” (author unknown), which Bill provided at the sea burial service for his favorite Uncle John, brings his passage full circle:
‘for I am but a little ship on a great bounding sea and only you rule the tides and course of destiny.’
A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
Bill’s family would like to acknowledge the compassionate staff of the Indian River Hospital and the Scully Welsh Cancer Center of Vero Beach, who provided him excellent care. Also, the family wishes to give special thanks to Bill’s Vero Beach, FL friends and his Noank, CT Shipyard “buddies on the ramp” for buoying his spirits. Memorial contributions are encouraged. ‘Work Vessels for Veterans,’which provides vets with the necessary tools to embark upon their civilian careers or educational pursuits is a suggested non-profit organization Bill enthusiastically supported: http://workvesselsforveterans.org ; (860) 536-0199.
To send flowers to the family in memory of William Charles Schunmann, please visit our flower store.
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