MOUNT DESERT – Otto John Prugel died peacefully Sunday, July 22, 2012, at Maine Coast Memorial Hospital, with his family at his side. He was born Dec. 6, 1922, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Auguste and Otto Prugel Sr.
He spent his youth living with his parents, his sister and his brother in Glendale, Queens, N.Y., as well as on the family farm in the summer in Hoags Corners, N.Y. Otto was a son, a brother, an uncle, a father, a grandfather, a great-grandfather and a good friend to so many. To describe Otto is to say that he had a huge, caring heart and was the type of man who, if you needed his right arm, would also offer you his left. He instilled in his daughter, as well as his grandchildren, values of respect, compassion, hard work and loving people for who they are. His sense of humor was infectious and he was always the life of the party. A family gathering was never complete without Otto strumming his guitar and singing songs from the “good old days” and a birthday was considered incomplete unless Otto called at the crack of dawn to sing you his personal rendition of “Happy Birthday” with at least four verses. Otto served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II and then worked for Karl Ehmer, Inc. for 41 years. He was proud of the work he did as the production manager for this meat packing firm that distributed products to more than 50 stores
on the East coast. He loved to scuba dive, ski, play golf and ride his motorcycle. His other favorite pastime was eating. Give him a batch of steamers and a lobster and he was in heaven. He moved to Mount Desert Island 15 years ago and loved living in his timber frame house in the woods near Long Pond. His best buddy was his yellow lab, Bear, who was his companion and best friend these last years. He loved Mount Desert and bragged about what a beautiful place it was to live. Otto was blessed with a family who loved him deeply and he returned that love with so much devotion. We will miss his smile, his New York accent, his jokes, his caring attitude, and how his bigger than life personality filled a room.
Otto leaves behind his daughter, the Rev. Linda Smith and her husband, Dr. Richard Smith, of Bucksport; his granddaughter, Jennifer Torrance and her husband, Joshua, of Ellsworth; his grandson, Robert Smith and his wife, Lisa, also of Bucksport; his grandson, David Smith and his wife, Lissa, of Bradenton, Fla.; his granddaughter, Susan Cousins of Clarksville, Tenn.; seven great-grandchildren, Sophie Eliza, Noah Campbell, Madisen Lynn, Rylee Ann, Serena, Nicolas and Jesse; a sister, Elizabeth Hans of Charlotte, N.C.; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Sophie, who died in 1986; his second wife, Lucille; and his brother, Herman Prugel.
There will be a private graveside service at Silver Lake Cemetery with Pastor Peter Remick officiating. Otto requested that we celebrate his life not with tears but with food, so there will be a celebration of his life noon Sept. 8 at the Bar Harbor Lobster Bake in Hulls Cove on Mount Desert Island. Everyone who would like to celebrate Otto’s life should come with an appetite and a story to share. Because of Otto’s love of animals, especially his beloved “Bear,” donations in his memory may be made to Friends of Kindred Spirits, 857 River Road, Orrington, ME 04474. This fund, which recognizes the importance the companionship of a pet plays in the life of an older adult, provides low cost veterinary care to senior citizens so that they can keep their pets and not have to surrender them because of financial reasons. Arrangements are under the direction of Mitchell-Tweedie Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Bucksport.