Robert D. Hudkins 89, Summit, NJ 2009 obit
Robert Daniel Hudkins Sr., 89, formerly of Summit, NJ died on Sept. 1, 2009, at his home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, Sept. 4, 2009, at Saint Teresa of Avila Church, Summit, N.J. Interment to follow in Saint Teresa's Cemetery, Summit.
Son of the late Edgar Freel Hudkins and Ann Mathews Hudkins. Born in Roselle Park New Jersey, moved to Summit and graduated from Summit High School in 1939.He attended Perkiomen Prep School and Guilford College.
Bob enlisted in the Air Force in 1941 and served as a Technical Sergeant in China, Burma and India until 1946. Upon war's end, Bob returned to Summit, married his Summit High classmate, the late Reine Levesque, in 1949 andraised seven sons.
Mr. Hudkins owned and operated Chatham Hardware & Paint Company until 1969 and held numerous sales positions within the hardware industry.Bob had an inspiring devotion to the community, joining the Summit Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter in 1954 and then serving as president of the Hook and Ladder Company and as secretary of the Summit Firemen’s Relief Association.In 2006, Mr. Hudkins was given a Key to the City and was honored by the City of Summit for his 52 years of service and contributions to the community.
The Hudkins’ were dedicated lifetime parishioners of St Theresa Church where Bob served as an usher and performed various volunteer duties for the church.In 2000 the Catholic Archdiocese of Newark presented Mr. and Mrs. Hudkins with the Jubilee Award for their contributions to the Archdiocese and community of St Teresa Church.
Recently predeceased by his wife of over 60 years, Reine Levesque Hudkins, and previously by a daughter in-law, Mr Hudkins is survived by 7 sons, fifteen grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.