Obituary of Marc Churgel

Friends, Thank you for the outpouring of love and support since I shared the news of my father, Marc Churgel’s sudden passing from complications with the Covid-19 virus. My sister, Marcy, and I are truly blessed to have each and every one of you in our lives. Your words, prayers and other gestures have meant the world to us, and you have certainly made the beginning of our grieving process a little more bearable. Though I cannot speak for my sister, I know I that am comforted (as are my wife and children) by your mere presence, albeit from a distance. Though I am heartbroken in many ways, one being that I am not able to physically attend the funeral and burial in Southern California on Sunday, I am relieved that so many of my dear family and friends will be in attendance, including my cousin (my father’s great nephew), Eric McDermott, who is providing the Zoom link for those who wish to attend digitally with me. Many of you have asked about Shiva details and where donations in my father’s memory might be sent. I have included all the details below, as well as the tribute book link that I posted on Facebook and texted to several of you earlier this morning. Thank you again for enveloping us in your love during this difficult time. I look forward to interacting with many of you in the coming week, either via Zoom, Facebook, phone and/or text. May the memory of Marc Churgel forever abide among us as a blessing, and may those who knew him, whether it was pre- or post-brain surgery in 2005, remember him with fondness and love. Shiva: There will be a Shiva Minyan (religious service) held each night between Sunday December 27 and Thursday December 31. In addition, I will have the Zoom room open for anyone who wants to visit with me (and others) throughout each day. The link will be the same for the entire week (different from that used for the funeral). All times listed below are EASTERN – local NY time for me. Sunday 12/27: Service at 8 pm Monday 12/28 – Thursday 12/31: Visiting time between 2 and 5 pm (or another time with prior notice) Service at 7 pm Zoom Links (please copy and paste): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82847808140?pwd=YkIyUWozSzFWSk1ZbU14eGpTbGgvUT09 Meeting ID: 828 4780 8140, Passcode: Marc80 Dial by your location: +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdZNRu9V6g Meeting ID: 828 4780 8140 Passcode: 421213 Donations: For those who knew my father, you know that he was extremely talented with science, technology and artistic crafts. He designed, built and flew radio-controlled model airplanes, he was the first civilian to earn the top license in Ham Radio allowing him to administer those tests, and he could draw and build just about anything. He enjoyed sharing his crafts with other, taking time to teach others with similar passions. Our family has always supported specialty programs for camping, and there are two Jewish summer camps that specialize in Art and STEM programming: 6 Points Creative Arts Academy and 6 Points Sci-Tech East. Both have scholarship funds that I would ask that you make contributions in order to help provide the opportunity for more children to experience these wonderful programs, like my children have had the privilege: Creative Arts Academy: https://6pointscreativearts.org/support-caa/ Sci-Tech: https://donate.reformjudaism.org/event/6-points-sci-tech-academy-end-of-year-scholarship-campaign-2020/e307913 As a third option I have selected the American Brain Tumor Association to aid in their research endeavors. Most of you know that my father had a brain tumor removed in March of 2005, two months after the birth of his first grandchild. The operation left him less than whole. https://give.abta.org/give/261975/#!/donation/checkout Tribute: Finally, Please do click the "Tribute Page" tab of this site and share whatever good memories you can of my father, even if it is somewhat trivial, and pictures too! I’ve heard some of these stories in the last couple of days. They have truly warmed my heart. Thank you again for being a part of my life, and that of my family members. You are a blessing. With deepest gratitude and love, Michael