Craig Daniel Zeglen

Craig Daniel Zeglen, age 60, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Tuesday, August 24, 2021.

Craig was born and raised in Wayne and was one of two children to A.J. and Dolores Zeglen.  While growing up in Wayne, Craig attended Wayne Hills High School and graduated with the class of 1979.  Following his high school graduation, Craig went to work with this father at the Wayne based family business, AJ Zeglen Electric.  Craig worked closely with his dad for about twelve years.  Being an Electrician was work that Craig truly enjoyed and continued to practice throughout his life.  In 1991, Craig joined the Morris County Sheriff’s Department and earned a position as a Correctional Officer.  Craig’s career with the Morris County Sheriff’s Office spanned twenty-five years and over that time he earned the rank of Sergeant.  Throughout his career, Craig received a number of various commendations for his service.  Craig was truly dedicated to his work and treated every day like it was his first.  He loved the people he worked with and was truly well respected among his colleagues.  He remained close with many after retirement and treasured the bonds made.

When Craig was a young man he was an avid bodybuilder and while working with his father, he took a part time job at night as a bouncer in a club called The Getaway in his home town of Wayne.  One night at the club he met a young attractive woman named Cyndi Sockler.  The two started talking and agreed to meet at the club later in the week for a date.  Cyndi and Craig met at The Getaway on February 1, 1984 and went to the movies to see “The Terminator” and afterwards have some dinner at the Pompton Queen Diner in Pequannock.  The couple hit it off great and started dating.  As fate would have it, they fell in love and three years later on November 1, 1987 Craig and Cyndi were married.  After getting married, Craig and Cyndi bought a townhouse in Hardyston Township where they lived for about ten years.  During their time living in Hardyston, they welcomed the births of their two sons, Kyle and Craig.  In 1997, Craig and his family moved to Oak Ridge where they have been ever since.

Craig was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association as well as the Association of New Jersey Rifle and Pistol Club at the Cherry Ridge Range in West Milford.  He and his family were also parishioners of St Mary’s Church in Pompton Lakes for many years.  He was an avid outdoorsman and one of his favorite past times was fishing, both fresh water and salt water.  Craig was an accomplished craftsman of all types; woodworking, metal, and even weaving.  Craig made his own fishing lures, knives, Halloween decorations for himself, his family, and his friends.  He had an extensive collection of various knives and firearms as well.  Another talent of Craig’s was gardening and landscaping.  His front and back yards were always meticulously manicured and beautifully landscaped making it a true family oasis.  Craig also had a far-reaching variety of Bonsai trees which he and his sons grew.  He was a devoted New York Giants and New York Yankees fan.  However, aside from all of Craig’s talents, hobbies, and interests, his greatest passion was for his family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Craig than spending time with and providing for his wife and sons.  Throughout the years, Craig and his family cherished yearly summer vacations at the Jersey Shore.  Craig was definitely a warm weather person and always felt at home on the beach or on an island. Craig and Cyndi treasured thirty-four years of loving and loyal marriage together.

Craig was the kind of guy who seemed to have a tough exterior; however, when someone got to know him they realized that he was a warm, kind, and compassionate man.  Craig touched the lives of many people and will be truly missed by everyone that knew him.

Craig is survived by his wife Cynthia (nee Sockler) of Oak Ridge, his two sons; Kyle Daniel Zeglen of Oak Ridge, and Craig Garrett Zeglen and his girlfriend Sabreen Nassar of Oak Ridge, one sister Denise Kearney of Cape Coral, Florida, his brother and sister in laws; Wayne and Sue Hasenbalg of Randolph, Nick and Nancy Sarnelli of Pequannock, along with his cherished nephews and niece and great nephews and great niece, and a group of the most treasured dear friends.  He is also survived by his two precious Pitbull’s; Brock and Junior.