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June 29, 2026
Services
Friends are invited to gather with the family from 2-6 PM on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at the Vander May Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wayne Memorial First Aid Squad at waynefirstaidsqad.com, or your favorite animal shelter.
Fred Rockman, 62, of Wayne, passed away on Monday, June 29, 2026.
The second of four kids born to John and Mary Bernice Rockman, he arrived just hours before big sister's first birthday. Fred was born and raised in Wayne, NJ, where he enjoyed sports and being a scout with troop 108 earning his Eagle Scout rank. He was probably the only scout in NJ to earn a merit badge for growing cotton.
Fred loved being a mechanic, a trait he probably inherited from his maternal grandfather. PopPop was in charge of the school buses for Perry County, AL, so Fred was exposed to vehicle maintenance at an early age. He attended Wayne Valley High School where, as part of his auto shop class, he rebuilt a '76 Camaro from the wheels up and it was ready when he got his license. He graduated in '82 and headed to Denver to continue his automotive training at Denver Automotive and Diesel which he liked to refer to as Denver Adult Daycare. He graduated with honors in '85 then returned to Wayne and worked for the Wayne Board of Education for 26 years.
Fred continued his love of all things automotive outside of work attending and participating in racing with his midget race car, Allen, at Hinchcliffe Stadium and other speedways and drag racing his '70 GTO at Island Dragway. He knew how to make cars fast. He also had an ability to listen to an engine and tell you exactly what was wrong with it before he even popped the hood. His Snap-on toolbox went everywhere with him, and he used it to fix anyone and everyone's cars never asking for money but instead for some good food and good company.
Besides cars, Fred loved animals and they loved him. He enjoyed the company of so many different animals throughout his life including cats, lizards, ferrets, skunks, rabbits, possums, racoons, hamsters, guinea pigs and even a chimp for a short time. However, his favorite was a 4-foot iguana named Iggy that endeared Fred to teachers and students when they walked the halls at school. Didn't matter what kind of animal it was, they naturally trusted him, and he reciprocated that trust.
Additionally, Fred loved telling jokes and stories, the more outlandish, the better. If you sign the guest book below, please feel free to share your favorite joke or story.
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends are invited to gather with the family from 2-6 PM on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at the Vander May Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wayne Memorial First Aid Squad at waynefirstaidsqad.com, or your favorite animal shelter.
June 29, 2026
Services
Friends are invited to gather with the family from 2-6 PM on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at the Vander May Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wayne Memorial First Aid Squad at waynefirstaidsqad.com, or your favorite animal shelter.
Fred Rockman, 62, of Wayne, passed away on Monday, June 29, 2026.
The second of four kids born to John and Mary Bernice Rockman, he arrived just hours before big sister's first birthday. Fred was born and raised in Wayne, NJ, where he enjoyed sports and being a scout with troop 108 earning his Eagle Scout rank. He was probably the only scout in NJ to earn a merit badge for growing cotton.
Fred loved being a mechanic, a trait he probably inherited from his maternal grandfather. PopPop was in charge of the school buses for Perry County, AL, so Fred was exposed to vehicle maintenance at an early age. He attended Wayne Valley High School where, as part of his auto shop class, he rebuilt a '76 Camaro from the wheels up and it was ready when he got his license. He graduated in '82 and headed to Denver to continue his automotive training at Denver Automotive and Diesel which he liked to refer to as Denver Adult Daycare. He graduated with honors in '85 then returned to Wayne and worked for the Wayne Board of Education for 26 years.
Fred continued his love of all things automotive outside of work attending and participating in racing with his midget race car, Allen, at Hinchcliffe Stadium and other speedways and drag racing his '70 GTO at Island Dragway. He knew how to make cars fast. He also had an ability to listen to an engine and tell you exactly what was wrong with it before he even popped the hood. His Snap-on toolbox went everywhere with him, and he used it to fix anyone and everyone's cars never asking for money but instead for some good food and good company.
Besides cars, Fred loved animals and they loved him. He enjoyed the company of so many different animals throughout his life including cats, lizards, ferrets, skunks, rabbits, possums, racoons, hamsters, guinea pigs and even a chimp for a short time. However, his favorite was a 4-foot iguana named Iggy that endeared Fred to teachers and students when they walked the halls at school. Didn't matter what kind of animal it was, they naturally trusted him, and he reciprocated that trust.
Additionally, Fred loved telling jokes and stories, the more outlandish, the better. If you sign the guest book below, please feel free to share your favorite joke or story.
Guestbook