William (Bill) A. Kegel of Rutherford, NJ passed away on Friday, February 4, 2022, at the age of 80. He died peacefully with his beloved wife Mary Lou (Mare) and their children by his side.
Bill was born in Brooklyn, NY on August 15, 1941, to Alfred Kegel and Martha Wiles. He had a distinguished 35-year career as a manager for MetLife Insurance Company. While an employee, Bill earned a bachelor’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University in sociology. He also served in the U.S. Army. Despite having a stroke at age 51, Bill actively pursued a variety of interests after retirement. He was an avid reader and wordsmith, sports fan (Giants, Mets, Brooklyn Dodgers), genealogy enthusiast, and scientific autodidact (space exploration, archaeology, zoology). A frequent business traveler, Bill traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and enjoyed regaling family and friends with his tales. He and Mare first met as teenagers in Lake George, and they were married for 57 years.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Sue Poplardo and Mildred Kegel, and sister-in-law Marge Kegel. He is survived by his wife, Mare; brother David; children Cindy Miller (Glenn), Dave Kegel (Genevieve), and Karen Kegel; grandchildren Claire, Jane, Allison, and Brendan; brother-in-law Tony Poplardo; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.
A funeral mass will be held at St Michael’s Church, 624 Page Ave., Lyndhurst on Thursday, February 10, 2022, at 11:00am. Face masks are required for mass.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS.org).