George J. "Wag" Wagner

George J. "Wag" Wagner

AGE: 86 • Normandy Beach

George J Wagner, "Wag", 86, of Normandy Beach, formerly of Short Hills, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014. He was born on March 1, 1927. George graduated from Millburn High School in 1945 where he captained the football team and was catcher for the baseball team. He was voted one of the outstanding high school players in the Tri-State at the Heisman Trophy Awards dinner. He was elected into the Millburn High School Athletic Hall of Fame. In January of his senior year, he enlisted in the Navy and was training as Air Crewman on a PBM when the war ended. He then attended Johns Hopkins University as an engineering student and graduated from Rutgers University with a business degree in 1950. Upon graduation, he joined the Wagner Fuel & Oil Company of Hillside, a family owned business, and later became president. In time, Wagner Associates, a firm specializing in commercial real estate management, was formed in which he was a partner and later became president. At the time of his death, he was a managing member of Wagner Properties LLC. While residing in Short Hills, Wag was a volunteer fireman for many years, was co-founder of the Millburn Junior Football program, managed a little league baseball team for 19 years, taught Sunday school and was a deacon ay Wyoming Presbyterian Church in Millburn, and was president of the Hillside Rotary Club. George was a member of Lackawanna Power Squadron active in the Educational Department for 21 years. He was Boating Course chairman and proctored the boating course for 12 years. After retiring to Normandy Beach in 1994, George enjoyed his membership in the Normandy Beach Yacht Club, his participation in Coastal Caregivers, was an avid fisherman, loved golf and playing poker with his card buddies. He will be missed by his loving and faithful dog, Kristi.

George was the loving husband of 63 years of Barbara Sturges Wagner, father of Steven Wagner (Maritza) of Lima Peru, Robert Wagner of Normandy Beach, Lee Wagner (Cynthia Jung) of Livingston and the very proud Pop-Pop of Samantha, Drew, Brett and Kyle Wagner. He is also survived by his brother, Richard of Nevada. He was predeceased by his brother, David.

Family and friends are welcome to attend a visitation from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan.10 at Orender Family Home for Funerals, 2643 Old Bridge Road, Manasquan. A funeral service will be held here 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11. In lieu of flowers, for those who wish, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101 or Alzheimer's Association., 400 Morris Ave., Suite 251, Denville, NJ 07834. To send condolences to the family or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.orenderfamilyhome.com.