Paul Bruggensmith

BRUGGENSMITH , PAUL EDWARD "BUD," 91, of Louisville, died at home on September 26, 2012 with his loving family at his side after a brief battle with cancer.

He was born September 13, 1921 in Louisville. In his youth, he served as an altar boy at Holy Name. He attended St. Xavier High School until the sudden death of his father forced him into the workforce to help provide for his mother and six siblings. He started as a grocery clerk at J. A. Moore's Food Store at age 15. Prior to World War II, he worked at American Standard and later Jeffboat. He served as machinist mate in the Navy on support ships for some of the most important invasions in the Pacific. Post World War II, he returned to Jeffboat and later moved to Naval Ordnance. His career at Naval Ordnance was marked with awards from the Navy on instrument design and machine processing. In the early years of the Derby Pegasus Parade, he along with his fellow workers created numerous winning floats. He achieved a management level position before his retirement at age 52.

At age 43, he lost his first wife, Jessie, from an aneurysm. Two years later, he was fortunate to marry Kathleen. They had 40 wonderful years together until she died six years ago. He loved his family, sitting watching sporting events on the best TV he could find, woodworking, and spirited political or social discussions. His greatest joy was having family gatherings at his home and watching his beloved Cardinals or Wildcats. Even during this recent illness he entertained his family with stories from his past. He lived the "American Dream".

He was preceded in death by his parents, Christine Webb and Henry John Bruggensmith; brothers, Robert Bruggensmith, Richard Bruggensmith, John Bruggensmith, Alvin Bruggensmith; and two wives, Jessie Mae Jackson and Kathleen Leatha Neblett.

He is survived by two sisters, Agnes Shoda and Mary Sacrey; five children, Larry Bruggensmith (Gilda), Dr. Paula Bruggensmith (Joan Giancola), Patricia Kinnaman (Bobby), Tonie Kennedy (Jan) and Ronnie Kennedy (Gloria); 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and three great-grandsons expected in December.

Funeral will be noon on Saturday at Owen Funeral Home, 5317 Dixie Hwy. with burial in Louisville Memorial Gardens West. Visitation is 2-8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests expressions of sympathy be made to The American Red Cross or to a charity of choice .





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Published in The Courier-Journal on September 27, 2012


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