Tributes

Ted was born in Westfield, PA, to Swiss immigrants, Melchoir (Mike) and Magdalena Brugger. He graduated from Westfield High in 1943 and served in the U.S. Army from 1949 to 1952. He was employed by the New York State Consolidated Natural Gas Co. before relocating his family to Turlock in 1963. He worked on a ranch in Hilmar, and in 1966 he was hired by Artcraft where the new business, Crown Cultured Marble, was established. Ted and Darrell Haile partnered in 1968 to buy the business which continued for 26 years. Ted was a 55-year member and Past Master of Cowanesque Masonic Lodge #351 in Knoxville, PA. He received the Legion of Honor and Cross of Honor for his service as DeMolay advisor for Turlock Chapter of DeMolay. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder, Deacon, on the Buildings and Grounds committee, and he was a faithful choir and bell choir member. He did volunteer work for the United Samaritans Foundation and the Scandinavian Festival. At age 80, he and son, Jim, made a mission trip to Swaziland.. Ted enjoyed gardening and birds, and he had a deep appreciation of nature. While in Pennsylvania, his hobbies were bee keeping, hiking, trapping, and hunting. He had a lifetime appreciation of music; he and Betty met while participating in a community band. For 12 years, he and Betty were co-chairs of the usher program at the Turlock Community Theatre. Through the years, many receptions and events were held in their spacious yard. Mr. Brugger is survived by his wife of 63 years, Betty Lou (Baker); daughters Holly (Chris) Bonner and Susan Berli; sons James (Lisa) Brugger and Stephen (Michaela) Brugger; grandchildren Brigette (Brent) Fresz, Barrett (Julie) Bonner, Lorien Berli, Josephina Brugger, and great-grandchildren Alex and Logan Fresz. He was preceded in death by his parents, six brothers and four sisters. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 14, at 11a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 2619 N. Berkeley Ave., Turlock, with a reception following. Private interment took place at Turlock Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, 2619 N. Berkeley Ave., Turlock, CA 95382 or to the United Samaritans Foundation, 220 S. Broadway, Turlock, CA 95380.

Tributes

Theodore Edward Brugger

March 15, 1925 - April 17, 2016