Elbert L. Tremblay

Elbert Leonard Tremblay passed away on April 1, 2017 in Chapel Hill, NC. He was 89.

Born April 3, 1927 to Leonard and Marie Tremblay in Clifton, NJ, El attended Clifton High School and Montclair Academy and graduated from Indiana University with a BS in Marketing. After graduation, he worked for Acme Markets for 31 years as Advertising and Sales Manager. Later in his career he started Tremblay Advertising which he ran for 30 years.

His college education was interrupted by World War II when the Army sent El to Panama where he became the private artist to Lt. General Crittenberger. A highlight was meeting Five-Star General Dwight David Eisenhower, where he presented Eisenhower with a brochure on the Defense Command and a pencil sketch of Ike. When asked by Eisenhower if he enjoyed being in the Army, El replied that he did not.

Married to Barbara Cochran for over 66 years, they lived in Clifton and Cedar Grove, NJ, Wayne, PA, and Fearrington, NC. He was very active in the Wayne Presbyterian Church, serving as Elder, Trustee, and Deacon.

El enjoyed art from an early age, especially pen and ink sketching. His love of painting also led him to teaching art at Galloway Ridge retirement center. El belonged to various art and watercolor societies in both PA and NC, participating in many local and juried art shows.

A lover of all sports, El gathered All-State honors in high school, and was an avid golfer and member of St. Davids Golf Club for 17 years. Later he joined the Fearrington Golf Club and played many courses in NC. El was especially proud that he shot his age 45 times during his golfing career.

Preceded in death by his parents and brother, Clifford, El is survived by his wife Barbara, his son Thomas (Charity) of Concord, MA, his daughters LuAnn (Douglas) Nagel of Gloucester, VA and Barbara (David) Smith of Palm City, FL, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held on May 8th at 3:00 PM at The Gathering Place in Fearrington. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Arts On Main, 6580 Main Street, Gloucester, VA. Enjoying art for a lifetime as he did, El would be pleased that a fund has been established in his name to provide children with a chance to develop their artistic abilities.