Emil Edward Shidel Jr.

Emil Edward Shidel, a man whose life was marked by determination, service, and unwavering loyalty, passed away on October 12, 2023, in Sarasota, Florida at the age of 90. He was born on April 22, 1933, in Boston, Pennsylvania, grew up in McKeesport, he later raised his family in Elizabeth Township, Pennsylvania, and eventually resided in Sarasota for almost 40 years.

He is predeceased by his parents, Emil Shidel and Madeline Shidel (Skiffington), his sisters Catherine Ice and Lois DeMaio, and his brother, Richard. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Rosemary “June” Lohman Shidel; son Steve Shidel (Linda) of Pittsburgh, PA, daughter Laura Shidel Walters (James Shea) of Bradenton, FL, and son Gary Shidel (Elena) of Cape Coral, FL; eight grandchildren Jeff Walters Jr. (Brianne), Scott Walters Sr. (Mandi), Joseph Shidel (Libby), Sherry Jones (Ryan), Joshua Shidel (Jen), Lauren Caruso (Jules), Andrew Shidel, and Allie Roggero (Connor); 14 great-grandchildren, Tesa, Scott Jr., Jeffrey III, Lilyana, Audrey, Charlotte, Zachary, Theo, Dean, Ira, Madelyn, Flora, Damien, newly born Ethan, and an unborn great grand-daughter due to arrive any day; a sister May Haney, and two brothers Charles (Judy) and Paul (Karen), and many nieces and nephews.

Emil's spiritual journey began as a young boy at Saint Peter's School and Church in McKeesport, where he sang in the choir. He continued throughout his life to be a devout Catholic.

After attending McKeesport Vocational High School, Emil graduated with well-developed skills as a machinist and draftsman. His future seemed destined for the local steel mill, following in his father's footsteps, however, just days before reporting there for work, Emil decided to join the United States Air Force. He was stationed at Tinker AFB in Oklahoma and served as a weather observer in Labrador, Canada in the Air Force Weather Service.

Upon discharge, he gained employment at Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory, a part of Westinghouse Corporation, as a machinist and later a draftsman. He worked on the original reactors for the Navy’s nuclear submarine fleet, including the Nautilus submarine and other projects.

Throughout the 1960s, Emil worked as a draftsman at the Westinghouse Astronuclear Laboratory. There the main project was the design and construction of NASA’s project NERVA. This was a Mars rocket powered by a nuclear reactor, which was successfully ground-tested and developed throughout the 1960s.

His next adventure was employment with Pittsburgh-based Surgitool, later a division of Baxter-Travenol. There he worked as part of the team that developed some of the first artificial heart valves and kidney dialysis machines.

In “retirement” after moving to Sarasota Florida, Emil worked as a fix-anything home repairman well into his eighties. It gave him great pleasure when a young person in their sixties would call on his services telling him they just can’t get around like they used to, not realizing Emil’s age!

Emil's life was a testament to his commitment to duty, honor, and family. He leaves behind cherished memories and a legacy of service that will be forever remembered.

Friends will be received at a visitation on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 from 6-8 p.m. at Robert Toale & Sons 1221 53rd Avenue East, Bradenton, FL. A funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church located at 6600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Sarasota, FL at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 19, 2023. Internment will follow at the Sarasota National Cemetery located at 9810 State Road 72, Sarasota, FL 34241. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to The Dementia Society of America.

Emil Edward Shidel's memory will forever be etched in the hearts of those who had the honor of knowing him. May he rest in peace, his legacy living on in the hearts and minds of all who remember him.