Darrell “Stiff” Stiffler Jr., 90, of Vero Beach, passed away on July 15, 2016.
He is survived by his two loving daughters, Linda (Errol) and Pat (Richard); three grandchildren, Tommy (Paige), Brian (Meagan), and Christine; and the absolute joy of his later years, his four great-grandchildren, Willem, Casey, Parker, and Elinora. All of the great-grandchildren were able to visit with “Pop-Pop” in the last weeks of his life.
Stiffler was born in Johnstown, Pa., on April 7, 1926. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Engineering and served in the U.S. Army Air Corps at the end of WWII. He married the love of his life, Elinora (Ellie Longacre), in 1946, and was her tender caregiver for several years until her death in 1999.
He retired after a 40-year career with The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company as Senior Vice President of Public Relations, Personnel and Labor Relations. During his career he was a presidential appointee to the Cost of Living Council, attending hearings in Washington, D.C. He also completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University in 1976 with other business leaders from around the world.
His passions included his family, flying, and volunteering for Meals on Wheels.
Our entire family is grateful to the many friends and medical personnel whose love and care made our journey these last few months happy and dignified.
We are taking Daddy back to Johnstown, Pa., to finally reunite him with Mom. There will be a visitation at 12 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 13, followed by a short service at Picking-Treece-Bennett Mortuary before the interment at Grandview Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made in his honor to Meals on Wheels in your local community.