Siegfried (Sig) A. Wuerslin passed away on Aug. 27, 2019. “Always the eternal optimist,” Sig was born to German Parents, Emil and Christine Wuerslin, in Bandung, Java, on Nov. 14, 1921. His father, Emil, was an electrical engineer working for Siemens at the time of his birth. He had been sent to Java to work in the mountains servicing the turbines that drove the power to the tea plantations. During their tenure in Indonesia, Sig’s mother contracted malaria and, in 1924, the family was sent back to Germany to live with relatives. Eventually they settled in Auggen, Germany, where they remained until 1929 when they immigrated to the United States. Sig traveled with his family to the U.S. on the Hapsburg Lloyd and arrived at Ellis Island on Black Friday-Oct. 29, 1929. Four years later his mother died and, at 12 years old, Sig and his two younger brothers were sent to live in the Bethlehem Orphan Home on Staten Island, N.Y. It was there he learned his many trades.
Sig was a WWII Veteran. In 1942 he enlisted in the Air Force. Sig survived 51 combat missions as the engineer and tale turret gunner on the B24 Liberator Bombers. He flew out of bases in the Mediterranean, Africa and Europe. Upon his return he taught electrical circuitry to pilots and engineers. After serving his country overseas for three years he was honorably discharged in 1945 and enrolled at Alfred Technical College. He completed his degree and in 1948 Sig married his college sweetheart who gave him three wonderful children.
Sig worked for General Electric in Syracuse for several years before moving to Skaneateles with his family. For 30 years he owned a business in downtown Skaneateles selling and repairing TVs. Sig retired at 70 and built his dream home in Amber, N.Y., – his ” Bavarian Chalet.”
Sig was an avid outdoor enthusiast. He was one of the original founding fathers of the Skaneateles Ski Hill which was established in 1959. He helped clear the land, engineer the original rope tow and build the first chalet. Sig and his family spent many years enjoying the ski hill as well as the many ski areas nearby. Not only was he a ski instructor at the hill but also at Song Mountain for 20 years. He was also a passionate tennis player until the age of 95.
Sig is survived by his three children; Linda (Momcilo), Peter (Cindy) and Ellisa (Randy). Three grandchildren: Peter and Kevin Eldred and Brittany Fast (Chris), and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two grandsons, Peter Hohn and Weston Eldred and one great-grandchild, Austin Fast.
The family will have a private celebration of Sig’s extraordinary life in the fall. Donations in Sig’s name can be made to the Weston D. Eldred Memorial Scholarship, CCC Foundation, 197 Franklin Street, Auburn, NY 13021.
Sig said he was ready to meet his next adventure….
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.
