Gary Kugel

Gary Paul Kugel of Longmont was born November 14, 1931 in Ponca City, Oklahoma and died November 24, 2014 of complications associated with pulmonary disease. Gary was widely known as Chef and co-owner of The Gondolier restaurant, which he opened in 1960. Along with his wife and business partner, Janice Kugel, the Gondolier enjoyed over 50 years of business in Boulder.Gary was not always a chef and business owner, however.At age 5, his parents fled Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl and came to Longmont, CO. Gary grew up working the family's wheat farm in Weld County. His father, Paul, and his Uncle, Cole, became a well-loved part of the Longmont community, establishing the Longmont Airport. The Kugels were long-time members of the local chapter of Flying Farmers; Gary followed suit, earning his pilot's license when he was 17.He graduated from Longmont High School in 1949. He attended the University of Texas briefly and finished his education at the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he majored in Geology. After graduating in 1954, he went into the U.S. Army Infantry, later returning to graduate school at CU. After a struggle to find work in his field, he and a friend decided to open a pizza joint in Boulder near the University. He married Janice (Gruen) in 1962.Gary and Jan spent the next 40+ years hand-making pasta 5 days a week. Eventually their two sons made their way onto the payroll, all four working together. The restaurant has endured to become a part of Boulder's history; it remains a family operation, under the care of his eldest son, Nelson.Gary spent many years enjoying his life as an avid Southwestern art collector and world traveler. He continued to be part of The Gondolier's legacy, baking desserts for the restaurant well into his retirement. He moved to Longmont in 2012: Coming back to my roots.He is preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Marjorie.He is survived by his two sons, Nelson Kugel of Boulder and Guy Kugel of Seattle, Washington; his ex-wife, Janice of Boulder; two grandchildren, Wesley and Mikeala Kugel of Nederland and his sister and brother-in-law, Bill and Kay Sachs of Longmont.Memorial to be held at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel, Wednesday, December 17 at 1:00pm. A Celebration of Gary's Life for his extended friends and family will be held at The Gondolier Italian Eatery in Boulder, Thursday, December 18 at noon.In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations may be made in Gary's name to St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Visit www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com to share condolences.