Wayne S. Sager

Wayne was born in Hackensack, New Jersey and raised in Woodridge, New Jersey.  He graduated from Woodridge High School in 1947 where he ran track and field before enlisting in the US Army in 1951.  He served active duty in Germany and later in the Reserves until his honorable discharge in 1957.

Wayne was a dedicated member of the IUOE 825 for over 65 years.  During this time, he worked with his father and brother on the third tube of the Lincoln Tunnel, helped build the original Giants Stadium, Meadowlands Racetrack, and many of the roads we drive on every day.  Wayne completed his career with HMDC/ Waste Management in 1994.  

Wayne possessed a strong work ethic instilled in him as a young child; doing chores, helping his parents, learning the basics of survival, from cooking, laundry, sewing, to maintaining the house and yard, and of course the ability to fix anything.  His mind was always working on how to make things better.  He would often say, “Good, better, best, never let it rest, ‘till your good is better, and your better is best!”  Evidence of his creativity is everywhere; he was a real-life “MacGyver”.  He was a quiet, honest man, strong and brave, never blinking in the face of danger.  He lived each day as it came.  His motto was, “You have to keep moving, to keep moving.”

He was a devoted family man who also enjoyed the company of the family pets.  No matter how busy he was, he always took time to throw a ball with his daughter Marsha.  In the 1970’s the family had their share of pets, a devoted cat named Taffy, and even a pet squirrel named Frisky, who one day decided to run inside the leg of his coveralls!  His genuine love of animals and nature ran deep, he enjoyed feeding chipmunks and birds, and as a young boy, could be found fishing, playing in the woods, and making friends with all of God’s creatures. In addition, Wayne enjoyed snow skiing, water skiing, boating, and was an avid reader.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and best friend.  Wayne is survived by his daughter Marsha, her loving companion, Frank Sykes, a beautiful granddaughter Jennifer, sisters-in-law, Lorraine and Maureen, cousins, and many friends.  He was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Joan K. Sager, his parents, George and Ann (Himko) Sager, and two brothers, George and Frederick.  Collectively, all would agree, you could never know a better man.