William F. Black

(Asbury Park Press)

WILLIAM F. BLACK
AGE: 78 MANASQUAN
William F. Black, 78, of Manasquan, died Saturday, July 18, 2009, at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune. Bill was born in Jersey City, the older child of William C. and Marie A. Black. He attended Hasbrouck Heights High School, then entered Stevens Hoboken Academy in his junior year. He commuted to the academy from Hoboken, and graduated in 1948. At the academy, he first got the nickname "Whitey" for his crop of blonde hair. He went on to attend Stevens Institute of Technology, like his father. He graduated from Stevens with a BSME degree in 1952. Bill spent summers in Manasquan racing outboards and at the family's summer cottage on Brielle Road. He met his wife of 55 years, Irene, in Manasquan. Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy after graduating from Stevens Institute. He and Irene were married April 23, 1953 immediately after his graduation from Officer Training. Soon Bill and Irene were off to San Diego, Calif., where Lieutenant Junior Grade Black performed ship degaussing at the U.S. Navy Electronics Laboratory. His Navy service and life at San Diego provided experiences and friendships that were valuable to him for his entire life. First child Douglas was born in La Jolla. Following Bill's military service, he, Irene, and family returned to West Orange, where children, Robert and Carolyn were born. The family lived in West Caldwell from 1964 to 1976, when they relocated to Middletown. Bill and Irene came full circle when they moved to Manasquan in 2002. In Manasquan, Bill and Irene were active and inspired members of the First Presbyterian Church. Following military service, Bill worked for Curtis Wright testing jet engines, then for many years in sales of specialty truck bodies at the family business, Adam Black & Sons. During that time, he was a member of Rotary International. He was Managing Sales Engineer at Peter Garafano & Son at the time of his death.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Irene Swensen Black. He is survived by his three loving children, Douglas Black and his wife Margie of Dana Point, Calif., Robert Black and his wife Paula of Manasquan, and Carolyn Black, also of Manasquan. He also leaves four grandchildren, Parker and McKenzie Black of Manasquan, and Leanne and Lauren Black of Dana Point, Calif.; and his brother, Adam Black.
Relatives and friends will be received from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 22 and 11:30 a.m. Thursday, July 23 at the O'Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Highway 35 at New Bedford Road, Wall. A funeral service will be held at noon Thursday at the First Presbyterian Church, 16 Virginia Ave., Manasquan. Memorial donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 16 Virginia Ave., Manasquan, NJ 08736. For more information or to send condolences, visit www.obrienfuneralhome.com.