Herbert J. Zieger

Herbert J. Zieger, age 88 of Rockaway, died peacefully on July 28, 2021. Had been a lifelong resident of Clifton before retiring to Fox Hills in Rockaway twenty five years ago.

Herb was a Master Plumber and operated Zieger Plumbing and Heating from his home in Clifton before retiring. He was a past president of the New Jersey League of Master Plumbers. Herb was also a U.S. Army veteran and earned the distinction of “Expert Gunner” during his service. He was honorably discharged in 1958.

Herb was born in America, but sadly his mother passed away while he was just an infant. With no other family here in America, Herb’s father moved back to Germany with his children during the middle-1930’s and they lived there throughout World War II. Fortunately for Herb, he was a U.S. citizen, so he was able to come back to America just prior to his eighteenth birthday. They settled in Lyndhurst, where there was a large German population, and Herb felt right at home. He enjoyed going to the local German dances where they would listen to accordion music and dance to the Polka! It was at one of these dances that he met Sheila Connor and their romance blossomed. They married not long after and honeymooned at Niagara Falls, NY. They settled into their home in Clifton and began raising a family. They also became active at the Preakness Baptist Church in Wayne, where they were both dedicated members for decades. They enjoyed a very loving and devoted marriage for more than sixty-five years. Herb was especially doting in recent years as he cared for Sheila at home as best as he could. Sheila will surely miss her beloved Herb.

Herb is survived by his wife Sheila of Rockaway, by their four children; Paula Van Gurp and her husband Karl of Ohio, Herbert Zieger, Jr. and his wife Laura of Lincoln Park, NJ, Eric Zieger and his wife Barbara of Clifton, and Bruce Zieger and his wife Allison of Highlands Ranch, CO, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.