Norbert Gordon Beukelaer, age 82, of Mystic was born Brooklyn NY November 20, 1923 and died Saturday, May 13th, 2006.
He is survived by five children; Jean MacFerrin, Tom Beukelaer, Denise Tharp, D’Anne Hanks, Rosemary Parks, & their spouses, nine Grandchildren and nine Great-Grandchildren and dear friend Lucille Evens.
Bert served in the US Navy over 20 years & worked at EB for 25 years. He saw action in the North Atlantic during WW II serving with the U.S. Navy Armed Guard as a gunners mate aboard the SS John Bascom, SS Liberty Glow, and the SS Ed Ward Livingston.
He received Citation “For heroism in the face of danger while serving on board U.S.S. TRINGA (ASR 16) from 27 April to 21 May 1956. As a deep sea diver first class, Norbert Gordon BEUKELAER exhibited outstanding courage, skill and determination. During salvage operations on RC-21, and despite the dangers of rotary currents, relatively deep depth of two hundred and thirty feet, use of helium-oxygen mixtures as a breathing media, and fouled wire cables in the immediate vicinity of the chamber; he successfully made repeated dives to the chamber in the open sea in Great South Channel between Nantucket Shoals and Georges Bank. His courage, determination, and professional skill materially aided in the successful salvage of RC-21. His actions and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”
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He was an accomplished model builder and avid member of Mohegan Pequot Railroad Club, the Mystic VFW Post 3263 and Groton Elks.
His family will greet relatives and friends at The Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Historic downtown Mystic on Monday evening from 6-8pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday at 11am at St. Mary Mother of the Redeemer Church, Groton Long Point Road, Groton. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be sent to the Diabetes Foundation.
To send the family a message of remembrance/condolence, please click the link below.