George Edwin Burger, Jr

An Accomplished Man

George Edwin Burger, Jr, 90, of Manchester, N.J., died September 9, at Community Medical Center in Toms River, N.J. Born in Union Hill, N.J., he spent his life in North Bergen, N.J., before moving to Leisure Village West in Manchester, 32 years ago.

Two children, including daughter Debra Trillhaase, and her husband Karsten, of Sandy Hook; two grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter survive Mr Burger. His wife, Helen, predeceased him in 1992.

He proudly served in the US Army during World War II as a medic in the 95th Infantry Division, also known as “The Iron Men of Metz” for their fierce resistance to German counterattacks in the liberation of Metz, France, in October 1944. Mr Burger received the Bronze Star, American Service Medal, EAME Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal and four Bronze Battle Stars. Aside from military service, Mr Burger also served as the commissioner of revenue and finance in North Bergen from 1964 to 1968.

Mr Burger graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and the Cincinnati School of Embalming. Following the family tradition, he became a funeral director, owning and operating Burger Funeral Home in North Bergen for 35 years before retiring in 1978.

He and his family were active members of Grove Reformed Church in North Bergen. Mr Burger was a Master Mason for Lodge #35 in Union City and was a member of Sons of the American Revolution, as well as the Holland Society. He had a strong interest in genealogy and was a member of the New York Genealogy Society. His family was twelfth generation Dutch in New York City and Hudson Valley.

Interment is Monday, September 19, at noon, at Grove Church Cemetery, 1132 46th Street in North Bergen, N.J.

Memorial donations may be made to The Popcorn Park Zoo in Forked River, N.J., at www.ahscares.org.

 Arrangements were handled by DeGraff Lakehurst Funeral Home, New Jersey.

The Newtown Bee   September 16, 2011