Obituary of Albert Joseph Betz

Albert Joseph Betz, 95, died peacefully at home Sunday evening. He was a great husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Born in Irvington, he grew up in Meyersville and Stirling. He graduated from Morristown High and the National Institute of Newark, and he attended Columbia University. He was a US Army tank instructor of Company B – 4thBattalion at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD and served in the Pacific theater during the battles for the Philippines. After the war he returned to Picatinny Arsenal as a federal employee for 30 years. He was a Realtor in the Mendham area for over 30 years beginning with Betty Bennett Real Estate and many other real estate organizations as salesman/manager and received many sales awards. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Mendham where he served as a Ruling Elder and the Clerk of Session. He was a member of the Colonial-Prospect Lodge 24 Masonic Temple for 64 years, and the American Legion Bernays Apgar Post. He married Barbara Cashman on March 29, 1947, at the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church and they have continuously resided in the Mendhams. He loved being involved with his sons. His community involvement included coaching Mendham Little League teams, Cub Master of Pack 30 for 8 years, President of the Mendham Youth Center for many years, and Chairman of the Citizens Advisory Committee for the construction of the Mountain View School. He enjoyed construction and built several homes in the region over the years. He was a gardener, golfer, bowler and played bridge. He loved his grandchildren and planned many family vacations in the Poconos and Ocean City, MD. He had traveled the country, Europe and returned to the Philippines on vacations. He is survived by his wife Barbara "Bonnie", three sons and their spouses, Jeffrey and Sharon of Brookside, Dr. William and Pandi of Erie PA, Kenneth and JoAnne of Mendham and his grandchildren Rev. Cynthia (and Russell Bogoly), Kenneth Jr, David (and Meghan), Alex, Emily, Will, Patty, and Sarah and great grandchild Natalie Bogoly. He is also survived by 2 nephews and five nieces. He was pre-deceased by his parents Joseph J. Betz and Bertha K. (Krauss), brother Clifford, and sister Viola B. Parker. Visiting hours are 6 to8pm on Friday, February 13 at Bailey Funeral Home, 8 Hilltop Road, in Mendham and a Celebration of his life on Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 11AM at the First Presbyterian Church,20 Hilltop Road, Mendham. Donations in his memory may be sent to First Presbyterian Church of Mendham.