Obituary of Bert Marks

Bert "Red" Marks, age 96, passed away Sunday, February 9, 2020 at St. Joseph's Wayne Hospital, Wayne. Mr. Marks was born in Paterson, NJ. He was predeceased by his wife who was the love of his life, Lillian (Jonsdotter) in 2002, whom he met one Friday night at a bowling league while bowling against his future in-laws Bill and Lillian Jonsdotter. He and Lillian were married a year later. At which time "Red" gave up his motorcycles and began taking a bus to work at Curtis Wright's. They loved to go out dancing every weekend and always spent a few weeks every summer with his family at Silver Beach, NJ. He and his wife were also avid Giants fans. He is survived by his beloved daughter Debra Marks-Cusick and her husband Don, and his loving grandchildren Donnie and Jessica. He was a loving and devoted grandfather (Pop) who loved attending many baseball games at Wayne Valley H.S. and later at Montclair State University as well as attending soccer games at Wayne Valley H.S. and later at Ramapo College of NJ. He lived in Wayne from 1957 to present, where he and his wife loved to entertain for all the holidays, BBQ in the summer at their backyard pool, watching their grandchildren growing up, playing and always having fun. He served in the US Navy 1942-1946 as a Seabee in the Aleutian Campaign, taking part in the invasions of Attu and Kiska. He was later assigned to the 2nd Marine Division as a Navy Frogman (forerunner of the Navy Seals) where he helped destroy shore obstacles prior to the invasion of Saipan and Okinawa, then going in with the 2nd wave of the invasion force. He declined a Purple Heart during the battle of Okinawa - during a kamikaze attack while unloading a ship, he sat on a broken beer bottle while diving into a foxhole. Red was employed by All State Insurance in Wayne as an auto adjuster for many years before retiring. He was also an avid golfer and former employee of Twin Willows Golf Course, Lincoln Park. Mr. Marks was a long-time member of the BPO Elks #2181, and the American Legion, Wayne. Visiting hours will be Thursday, February 13, 2020 from 4-8 p.m. Burial will be private. Memorials may be made to the ALS Association, Gift Processing Center, PO Box 37022, Boone, IA 50037-0022 (In memory of a dear friend Richard Ward)