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Posted by Betsy (Mengel) Sanford,77
on July 16, 2008, 12:01 pm
12.26.40.80
The Rev. Craig A. Mengel of Westport, husband of Claudia Kaufmann Mengel, died Sunday, May 11 at home. He was 55.
Born March 25, 1953, in Binghamton, N.Y., he was a Westport resident for the past 15 years. Prior to moving to Westport, he resided in New York City for 16 years. He graduated from Hamilton College in 1975 with a degree in religious studies.
One of his greatest accomplishments was a film he created called “Means,” which examined the spiritual practices and routines of his fellow students.
This experience sparked his interest in film and he entered Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Communication, where he graduated in 1976 with a degree in film, television and radio.
Rev. Mengel co-founded Fusion Media in 1981 along with many other companies on marketing and software development, including Multimedia Works Group and Millennia 3.
In 2000, Rev. Mengel felt called to dedicate his time to serving God through serving others. He led the first three mission trips from the Norfield Congregational Church to Ecuador, where he and a group of approximately 20 other individuals spent two weeks working on the construction of a soon-to-be medical center.
Rev. Mengel also helped raise funds for a medical relief van to help Ecuadorians in remote villages receive medical attention.
Additionally, he served with the South African Mission Trips, the Bridgeport Rescue Mission, The C Project, New Cannon Society, Tres Dias and The Norwalk Hospital cancer support group.
Rev. Mengel and his family have been members of the Norfield Congregational Church for more than 15 years. He and his wife were active members of the church and served on many committees. He served on the board of deacons from 2001 to 2004 and on the pastoral search committee from 2003 to 2004.
Rev. Mengel was ordained as a Norfield Church, UCC minister this spring and was honored to serve as a clergy at large.
In addition to his wife of 28 years, survivors include two daughters, Sarah D. Mengel of Boston, Mass., and Rebecca A. Mengel of Westport; his father and mother, Arthur and Betty Mengel of Exton, Pa.; one brother, Dwight Mengel, his wife, Alisa, and son, Jonathan, of Ithica, N.Y.; and one sister, Elizabeth Sanford and her husband, Scott, of Morrisville, Pa.
Friends are invited to attend a celebration of life Saturday, June 7, at 11 a.m., at the Norfield Congregational Church, 64 Norfield Road, Weston, with the Rev. Bernard R. Wilson, senior minister officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Rev. Craig A. Mengel Foundation, c/o the Norfield Congregational Church, 64 Norfield Road, Weston, CT 06883.
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