Obituary of Eugene Edward Zipper

Eugene Edward Zipper

98, Devoted Husband and Father

Eugene Edward Zipper (Gene), born April 6, 1920, and raised in Orange NJ, peacefully died at home on January 10, 2019. Since 1951, he made Madison NJ his home, raising his family here and maintaining an active and productive retirement.

Gene was a devoted husband of 71 years to Rose (Holm), a Madison resident from birth, who was at his side always. Rose and Gene raised five children: Carl, Jeanne, Barbara, Richard and John. Gene leaves behind nine grandchildren and two great-granddaughters, sons- and daughters-in-law, nieces and nephews, godchildren and friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Hedwig Elizabeth (Baumgartner) and Carl Franz Zipper, both immigrants from Germany, his brother, Carl Zipper and sister, Elizabeth Merrigan, his grandson, Christopher Kane, as well as many friends in Madison and all over the world. Gene lived a full life serving his country and community, improving his career and lot in life through hard work and entrepreneurial ventures. He devoted his life to his family.

Gene grew up in Orange, NJ during the depression years, attending St. Venantius School and Orange High School. During the 1930’s, he worked alongside his brother, sister and parents at Zippers’ Bakery in Orange. Upon graduation from high school, he worked on Wall Street as a clerk at an odd-lot broker for 2 years until, following up on a tip from a friend in 1939, he went to work in the mailroom at Socony Vacuum Oil Company which later became Mobil Oil Corporation. Other than the war years, he spent his entire career at Mobil in New York City, commuting by train from Madison. He advanced from the mail room through sales and marketing into a management position in International Aviation Fuel Sales. His career took him to Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Far East during both the propeller and jet ages of aviation.

Gene was proud of his service to country during World War Two.   He was a Staff Sergeant in the US Army Air Corps, serving from 1942 to 1945 in the US, England, and Italy with technical training and flight status on B-24 Liberators. After the war, he attended night school at Seton Hall University under the GI Bill, obtaining his degree in 1951. He also served his community as Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 8 in Orange, NJ and took the Dale Carnegie course to improve his career prospects. He never failed to recommend the Dale Carnegie course to young people and attributed much of his success in business to self-improvement techniques learned in this course.

Rose and Gene met at the Jersey shore, married in 1947, and moved to Madison in 1951. Long time parishioners of St. Vincent Martyr Church, they partnered to raise their family, sending all five children to Saint Vincent Martyr elementary school and Madison High School. The children fondly remember Gene’s dedication to family activities centered around home maintenance chores. He was a reliable home handyman and enjoyed keeping his house in tip-top condition; he never shied away from a challenging home-repair project. One of the most unique projects Gene took on was buying a house located on the Route 24 right-of-way and having that house moved up Greenwood Avenue to serve as the family home.  

Rose and Gene enjoyed hosting friends and family, bridge games and get togethers, parties, dancing, and travel; and winter months in Florida in later years. They were long-time members of the Noe Pond Club and enjoyed hosting their children and grandchildren there for swimming. Between family get togethers, Gene stayed busy by attending Madison Town Council meetings and writing letters to the editor, offering wise commentary on local events. Gene presided over annual July 4th get-togethers with extended family for the past 30 years. Enjoying the holidays with family always gave him great satisfaction. He was proud of his life’s accomplishments and loved his family. Gene will long be remembered by family, friends and acquaintances for his generosity, friendliness, outspokenness, and love of life.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit on Tuesday, January 15, 2019, at Burroughs, Kohr, and Dangler Funeral Home, 106 Main Street, Madison NJ from 2 to 4 pm, and from 7 to 9 pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Vincent Martyr Roman Catholic Church, Madison NJ, 10 am on Wednesday, January 16. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations in Eugene’s memory to the Madison Community House, 25 Cook Avenue, Madison NJ 07940 (thursdaymorningclub.org).