Charles W. "Chick" Sutter

CLAYMONT, DE/CROGHAN, NY ~ Charles W. “Chick” Sutter, 95, of Claymont, Delaware, died February 10, 2012, in CCBS Wilmington Hospital in Wilmington, DE.

Born in 1916 in Philadelphia, PA, the son of Herman F. and Agnes T. Benny Sutter, he graduated from LaSalle College High School in Philadelphia, where he was an All-Scholastic football player, as well as a basketball player and an outstanding Track and Field competitor, especially in shot put and high jump. After attending Pennington Prep in New Jersey, he enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania where he was a sophomore starter end on the great 1936 football team that featured his good friends Franny Murray, Lew Elverson and Bill Kurlish – the Destiny Backfield. Chick was a graduate of the University’s Wharton School and a member of the Sphinx Society.

A World War II veteran, he entered the US Army on March 3, 1943, and served with the HDQTRS Company 741st Railway Operation Battalion throughout the European Theatre of Operations. A recipient of three bronze stars, he was honorably discharged as a Communications Technician 5th Grade on January 30, 1946.

Following the war, he worked with his brother, Edward, in the business that they co-founded, Lafayette Packaging, in Pennsylvania.

He had a great fondness for the North Country and for many years, he enjoyed traveling to and spending time at their family’s cottage at Effley Falls. Throughout his life, Mr. Sutter loved the Penn Relays, which he attended faithfully. Chick continued his love of football as a CYO coach for many years. As a grandfather, he was a great inspiration, coach and second father to his two grandsons, Andrew and Evan. He also loved nature, long walks, ornithology, Jazz and Classical music and literature. He was an “old school “gentleman who continues to inspire all who were fortunate enough to know him.

Among his survivors are his two children, Charles D. Sutter, of Claymont, DE, and Andrea Baran, of Rochester, NY; three grandchildren, Andrew, Evan and Julianna, and one great-grandson, Samuel Joseph.

Chick was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, the former Rachel Joan Anderson.

His Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Saturday, May 12, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at the Chapel of St. Vincent de Paul, Belfort, NY, with the Rev. Daniel L. Chapin, Pastor of St. Stephen’s Church in Croghan, officiating. Burial with military honors will be in the adjoining church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Military Order of the Purple Heart, 7008 Little River Turnpike, PO Box 49, Annandale, VA 22003.

Arrangements are with Scanlon Funeral Home, Croghan.

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