Robert Henry Netzke

Robert Henry Netzke, 82, of Toms River, N.J., beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, died peacefully on Thursday, April 7, 2011, at the Community Medical Center. The funeral service will be held at Blackley Funeral Home, 809 Broad Ave., Ridgefield, N.J. at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 13, 2011. The visitation will be held on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. For directions or to send condolences, go to blackleyfuneralhome.com. Robert was born and raised in West New York, N.J. After graduating from Memorial High School, he took on an apprenticeship in purveying meat to local fine restaurants. Within three years, Robert became the sole proprietor of the business at the age of 22. In 1960, he took a position with Hygiene Linen Service, eventually working his way up to plant manager of the Jersey City facility. Robert retired from Hygiene in 1995, allowing him to spend more time in his beloved cottage in Kemah Lake, N.J. Robert dipped his toe in the local political arena with a valiant but unsuccessful run for commissioner in West New York in 1967. The Netzke family moved from West New York to Ridgefield, N.J. in 1983. In 2000, Robert and Grace relocated to the serenity of Holiday City in Toms River. Robert is survived by Grace E. Netzke (nee O'Donnell), his loving wife of 61 years; his son, Robert H. Netzke, of Bloomfield, N.J.; his daughter, Joan I. Lowery and her husband, Eugene, of Paramus, N.J.; and his son, Donald O. Netzke and his wife, Joanna, of San Diego, Calif., and his sister, Alice Dragich of Ridgefield, N.J. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Jeffery Netzke, Gregory Netzke, Laura Lloyd, Karen Bartulovich, Ian and Dylan Lowery, Robbie and Kimberly Netzke, and 11 loving great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

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