William H. Wackwitz

William H. Wackwitz, age 99 of Wayne, died peacefully on Saturday, December 3, 2022. He’s lived in the Packanack Lake section of Wayne since 1963.

Bill had been a commercial printer for decades, retiring from Peerless Stationary Co. in Nutley in 1987, and he had previously worked as a printer for the Commercial Leader newspaper, and Nutley Sun newspaper. He was also politically active in Lyndhurst, serving on the Planning Board and the Board of Education. After moving to Wayne in 1963, he became a charter member of the Packanack Golf Association, and served as the Packanack Lake ‘Ranger,’ patrolling the community for twenty-two years before retiring from that position in 2009, at the age of just 86!

Bill was notorious for living life on his own terms, and Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” was his anthem song. This all began on the day he was born, when his mother went into labor rather quickly while visiting her mom in Brooklyn, New York. Things happened so fast that Bill was born right there in his grandmother’s house, arriving into this world like a whirlwind. Growing up in Lyndhurst, NJ, during the 1920’s and 30’s, Bill experienced things in his childhood that no one will ever be able to experience again. He witnessed the construction of the George Washington Bridge and then drove across it with his father when it first opened. Bill was there. His dad also drove him through the Holland Tunnel when it first opened. He witnessed the first commercial seaplane arrive at Port Washington, Long Island. Bill was there. When he was just thirteen years old, on May 6, 1937, his dad drove him to Lakehurst, NJ, so together they could witness the much-anticipated arrival of the Hindenburg dirigible. Bill was there!

Bill would be the first to tell you that he didn’t care much for school when he was a young boy. At thirteen years old, he left school and started working for a printer. Soon thereafter, his brother, Eddie, taught him to be a welder. In 1943, Bill was drafted into the U.S. Army, and he served under General George Patton in the 5th Armored Division of the 3rd Army. As a welder, he was assigned to fix tanks that had broken tracks or needed other welding repairs. Always a creative thinker, Bill was credited with creating a mobilized repair unit so they could go right to the front lines to repair damaged tanks and get them back into the battle as quickly as possible. Among his most frightening memories of World War II was during the crossing of the Roer River when his unit was dive-bombed by a German Me-262. These were the first jet-propelled aircraft ever, and the sight and sound of this plane was terrifying to all the soldiers. Bill was there. Upon returning to the United States aboard the Queen Mary, Bill recalled one of his most emotional memories occurred while he passed the Statue of Liberty. All the soldiers aboard ship were overwhelmed with emotion that day. Bill was there.

As a young man growing up in Lyndhurst, Bill met June Davies, who lived in the neighborhood. They hit it off quite well, and on November 29, 1947 they exchanged wedding vows. As the story goes, Bill insisted that he be able to watch the entire ARMY football game first, and only after the game had concluded could the wedding commence. June knew what she was in for because Bill always did things his way. They enjoyed a honeymoon to Williamsburg, Virginia before settling into a two-family home that his father owned in Lyndhurst, and they lived there for about fifteen years before moving to Packanack Lake. Throughout the years, they enjoyed many road-trips throughout the United States, all the way to California and back. After seventy-one years of marriage, June passed away in 2018, and Bill has missed her dearly. Bill and June were very proud of their loving family and of their large legacy of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They were truly blessed in this life.

Bill is survived by his two children: Judith “Judy” Gerasimenko and her husband George of Kinnelon, and William D. and his wife Cathy of Wayne, five grandchildren: Lauren LaMantia (Charlie), Christine McDevitt (Dan), Michael Gerasimenko (Geralanne Maglione), William D. Wackwitz, Jr. (Michelle), and Brian Wackwitz, two great-grandchildren: Brendan Hout and Page Erekat, and one sister: Elizabeth Cloughley. Bill was predeceased by his beloved wife June in 2018.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Wayne First Aid Squad would be greatly appreciated.