Carl Victor Powers Jr 1948-2019

Carl Powers was born on November 21, 1948 in Roslyn. He was the oldest of three sons born to Carl Sr and Mary Powers. The younger brothers were Greg and Vance. His parents gave him the nickname “Duke” before his first birthday as an alternative to “Junior”. Elementary years were spent at St David’s in Willow Grove and he joined our class in 9^th grade. He had been diagnosed with Type 1 Juvenile diabetes in 8^th grade, requiring him to give himself an insulin shot every day. His parents enrolled him in H-H because the school was good about letting them take him out of school for doctors’ appointments and such.

The yearbook shows wrestling, track, and Jr/Sr play as his activities, but he spent most of his after school and summer vacation time at the family automotive shop. Powers Truck Service on Comly Street in the Bridesburg section of Philadelphia. It was not only the family business, but a family passion. How those Powers men loved the sound of a smooth-running engine! Besides being able to drive anything on four wheels, Duke Powers was also an excellent businessman.

His mother, who gave us the information for this story, recalls a noisy household of young men doing late night car tune -ups, scattering tools, and being noisy in the neighborhood. Classmates not only remember him as friendly and easy going, but also as the owner of a red Ford hot rod, (and later his white Mustang).  …and the many rides he offered his friends.

The Powers family had a house in Avalon NJ - right on the water. Countless happy days were spent fishing, swimming and water skiing aboard their boat,” Hey, Dad”.

In 1969, Carl married Marie Kerns from Willow Grove, a graduate of Upper Dublin HS. They had known each other at St David’s grade school and years later when she brought her car into the shop for repairs, they reconnected. Their son, Craig was born in 1970, followed by daughter Kelly a few years later.

In 2001 they sold the business, and Carl retired. When his grandkids came along- Ben in 2008, and Amanda in 2011, he was a doting and loving grandfather. They are the children of his daughter Kelly and her husband, Matt.

Carl was fortunate to have lived until the age of 70 with his diabetes. He died on Feb 12, 2019.

The memorial service was held at St David’s, where he and Marie had been married nearly 50 years before.

In lieu of flowers, the family requested contributions in Carl’s name could be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (online at www2.jdrf.org).

https://www.theintell.com/obituaries/20190217/carl-duke-powers