George H. Sundstrom

AGE: 80 • Lakewood

George H. ("Swede") Sundstrom, age 80, of Lakewood, NJ, passed away after a brief illness on Thursday, January 9, 2014, at home with his family.

Born in Elizabeth, NJ on February 6, 1933, Mr. Sundstrom graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1950. He graduated with a B.A. from Rutgers University, New Brunswick in 1954, where he was a standout basketball player. Known then as "Swede" Sundstrom, he was 4th in the nation in rebounding during his senior year. He also still holds records for single season rebounds (494) and single season rebounding average (20.6). Twice during his career, he pulled down 30 rebounds in a single game. He was inducted into the Rutgers Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007. Following graduation from Rutgers, Mr. Sundstrom honorably served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956 as a 2nd Lieutenant.

Mr. Sundstrom married the former Joan M. Carroll in 1960. They lived in West Orange, NJ and were parishioners of St. Joseph Parish, West Orange where he served as a lector. He was a member of the Daniel L. McCormick Knights of Columbus Council #1831 in South Orange, NJ, where he served as the 51st Grand Knight from 1986 to 1988 and was a 3rd Degree Knight.

Mr. Sundstrom spent 37 years in insurance sales and sales management with the Prudential Life Insurance Company. He held the CLU and ChFC designations from the American College.

After residing in West Orange, NJ for 40 years, he moved to Lakewood 6 years ago. Son of the late Carl and Agnes Sundstrom and brother of the late Robert and Charles Sundstrom; he is survived by his wife of 53 years, Joan M. Sundstrom; 3 children, Mary Judith Kemp and her husband Peter of Mendham, NJ, Thomas G. Sundstrom and his wife Michele of Downingtown, PA, and Kerstin M. Sundstrom of Lakewood, NJ; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Sundstrom of Livingston, NJ; 4 grandchildren, John, Kathleen, Paul and Ella; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Monday from 1 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the D'Elia Funeral Home, 1300 Vermont Ave., Lakewood, NJ 08701. His funeral mass will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in the St. Mary of the Lake Church, 43 Madison Ave., Lakewood, NJ 08701. Interment will follow in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 225 Ridgedale Ave., East Hanover, NJ 07936.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 or by visiting http://pancan.org.

For further information or to post a tribute online, please visit www.deliafuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Asbury Park Press from Jan. 11 to Jan. 12, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for George Sundstrom

17 Entries

Nina Queen

January 15, 2014

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of George. I worked with him for many years at Prudential. My prayers are with The Sundstrom family.

Ps. 34:17, 18 ~ Kim

January 15, 2014

Please accept my deepest sympathies.

Gene and Peggy McNamara

January 14, 2014

Joan and Famly, We were surprised and saddend to read about the death of George. He was a favorite of ours and you can be sure he is with Our Lord. Take care and please keep in touch. We miss you.

January 13, 2014

Our sympathy. Losing a loved one is never easy. May you rely on God and those around you to help you through this difficult time. 1st Thessalonians 5:17

Joe Fagliarone

January 13, 2014

Dear Joan & Family, I am so sorry to hear of George's passing. My deepest sympathy to you and your family. I always enjoyed the conversations George and I would have outside our homes.

January 12, 2014

Dear Joan,
My condolences on Georges passing, he was an amazing man to work with. You and your family are in our prayers. Maggie Keffer

Doreen Mollenhauer

January 12, 2014

Dear Joan and family: I was sorry to hear about George's death. We shared many years at Prudential and he was a very knowledgable mentor and teacher to many financial professionals . More importantly he was a man of great integrity and honesty. We all respected him . He will be missed.

Tony Lombard

January 12, 2014

Sorry to learn of George's Passing. It was a pleasure talking to him at the re-unions. He was a great class mate. May He rest in peace.

Cathy & Charlie Yannelli

January 12, 2014

Dear Joan & Family,
Charlie & I want to extend our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. He was a wonderful neighbor and friend.
Cathy & Charlie Yannelli

January 11, 2014

Dear Joan and family,
We have known you and George for the past 6 years that we have been living here. In such a short time , George has brought such pleasant memories of laughter and warmth to all he knew . Paul and I will certainly miss talking to him and joking with him. We are truly saddened by this sudden passing. Please stay well and know that our prayers are with you and your family.
Diane and Paul Laden

January 11, 2014

Im so sorry to hear of "Swede's" passing--we always had a pleasant, personal and caring relationship in high school.He was always a "neat" guy!
May he rest in peace.
Buddy DiFluri

Paul Baba

January 11, 2014

Swede was a great friend back in our high school and college days. He will be missed.

Bob Aznar

January 11, 2014

"Swede" was one of my favorite Thomas Jefferson classmates.May he rest in peace

Jack Joyce

January 11, 2014

Another Thomas Jefferson HS classmate has left us. Last saw George at Lembo's BBQ a few years back.

Sal and Rosemarie Sorce

January 11, 2014

Dear Joan and Family,
We were shocked to hear of Georges passing.
Our prayers for your lovely family, always.
Sal and Rosemarie Sorce

Bill Peter

January 11, 2014

Dear Joan - Please accept my sincerest condolences to you and your family at this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you. - - Bill

Anita Murphy

January 11, 2014

Rest in Peace Mr. Sundstrum. I met you many years ago in roselle park at your moms home.i was a friend of your Mothers. My sympathy to the Sundstrom family.

Showing 1 - 17 of 17 results