Obituary of Ralph (Pete) Sickels

Ralph (Pete) Sickels, a resident of Darien, CT since 1961, died October 14, 2005 at Norwalk Hospital. Mr. Sickels was 76 years old. According to his family, Mr. Sickels died of heart failure. Born August 23, 1929 in Red Bank, NJ, he was the son of the late Ralph Boyd and Elizabeth (Fairbrother) Sickels. Mr. Sickels graduated from Rutgers University in 1951 with a B.S. in Industrial Engineering. Upon graduation, he was hired by Campbell Soup Company. Shortly thereafter from July 1951 through April 1953, he served in the United States Air Force with various assignments in the United States and Japan. Upon release from the Air Force, Mr. Sickels returned to Campbell Soup Company in Camden, NJ working in all areas of purchasing. In June 1961 after Campbell's acquisition of Pepperidge Fram Inc., he transferred to Pepperidge's headquarters in Norwalk, CT. He worked in purchasing until his retirement as Vice President October 1, 1992. Mr. Sickels was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity and an active member of Saint Luke's Episcopal Church. He also volunteered at Person-to-Person and was the President of the Darien Dance Cotillion. Mr. Sickels worked on the United Fund, he was also a member and instructor of Sailing of the Darien Power Squadron and a member and committee head of the Darien Senior Men's Association. He is survived by his wife, Barbara (Bobbi) Bell Sickels of Darien, CT; two sons, Peter T. of Phoenix, AZ and Stephen B. of Shelton, CT; three daughters, Lee Braun of El Cajon, CA; Lynn Myers of Tucson, AZ and Barbara Hunt of Marshfield, MA; 10 grandchildren, two great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by three older brothers. A Memorial Service was held at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Darien on Friday, October 21, 2005. Interment was at the Saint Luke's Memorial Wall. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 1864 Post Road, Darien, CT 06820, Person-to Person, 1864 Post Road, Darien, CT 06820 or the Darien Senior Men's Association, c/o the Darien Community Association, 274 Middlesex Road, Darien, CT 06820. Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820 Visitation: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820