Howard Rollins Furbeck Jr.

(Home News Tribune)

HOWARD ROLLINS FURBECK, JR.
AGE: 78 FORKED RIVER
Howard Rollins Furbeck, Jr. of Grebe Court, died suddenly on November 4th at the Community Medical Center in Toms River. He was 78 years old. Mr. Furbeck was the son of the late Howard Rollins Furbeck, Sr. and Helen Caneel Furbeck. He was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey and moved here from Edison Township 11 years ago the son of the late Howard Rollins Furbeck, Sr. and Helen Cannel Furbeck. Mr. Furbeck served as a code breaker with the 34th Radio Squadron Mobile nicknamed the "Bloody Deuce" from 1952 to 1956 during the Korean War. He was a Staff Sergeant in the Regular Air Force while seeing action in North Africa and Germany. Upon returning from active duty, he studied education at Trenton State College and graduated in 1959. He received his Masters in Education in 1963 from Seton Hall College. Mr. Furbeck's vocation in life was always to serve mankind, not only through teaching, but also throughout the years of his active and retired life. He began his teaching career in 1959 by opening the Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Edison as a teacher of math and history. In 1967, he was named the first Outstanding Young Educator by the Jaycees of Edison. He was soon promoted to Vice Principal of Lincoln Elementary School in Edison. He later transferred to become the Vice Principal of Lindenau and Ben Franklin Elementary Schools in Edison when they were combined. His longest tenure at one school as a teacher came when he taught 4th Grade for Lindenau Elementary for 12 years. He finished out his teaching career at John Adams Middle School in Edison as a 7th grade math teacher. He retired from the Edison School system in 1990 after 32 years of service and became a lifetime member of the New Jersey Education Association and National Education Association.While residing in Edison, Mr. Furbeck became a Master Mason at the Metuchen Masonic Mt. Zion Lodge 135 and became Worshipful Master of his lodge in 1989. The following year, he became Patron of Mt. Zion Chapter Order of the Eastern Star #116. In 1993, he was appointed the President of the Central Jersey Shrine Club. In 1990, he and his wife Rose moved to Forked River, New Jersey and he soon became involved in many Masonic organizations. As a Master Mason, he joined the Order of the Eastern Star of New Jersey, Bethlehem Chapter. He was a member of the Shriners of North America, Crescent Shrine in Burlington, New Jersey as well as a Master Mason in the Mariner Lodge No. 150 in Barnegat. He later became involved with the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Central Jersey in Bordentown where he obtained his 32nd degree. Among Mr. Furbeck's hobbies including music, woodworking and fishing, genealogy became his favorite, focusing on the American Revolution. He was extremely proud that his ancestors John Furbeck and Col. Hardenberg had served the Patriot cause. He also discovered that he was a direct descendant of Jacob Rutsen Hardenburgh, the founder of Queens College, now known as Rutgers State University. His sister Helen Hoenigman served as librarian for over two decades at the college. One granddaughter graduated from Rutgers last year, and one will graduate this year. His family's involvement with the University became what was a great source of pride to him as an educator being related to the founder. He was also a member of the Raritan Valley Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. Mr. Furbeck kept very active during retirement. He was a member of the Old Guard, Chapter 19 of Forked River. For the last 11 years, he and his wife Rose volunteered at the Lacy Food Bank, the Ocean County Food Pantry and the Shalom Homeless Mission. They are very active in the Lacey United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Rose Calandrilla Furbeck, with whom he celebrated 50 years of marriage last year; a son and daughter-in-law, Howard and Irene Furbeck; a daughter and son-in law, Patricia and Roy Costantino; a son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Lisa Furbeck. Eight granddaughters, Lisa, Kristin, Colleen, Nicole, Victoria, Heather, Angelica and Christina, also survive him. Predeceased by his sister, Helen Hoenigman, he is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law Richard and Elaine Furbeck and many nieces, nephews and caring friends.
Family and friends may call between 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. on Monday, November 8th, at Riggs Funeral Home located on 130 North Main Street in Forked River, NJ 08731. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, November 9th, at 11 a.m. at the Lacey United Methodist Church, 203 Lacey Road, Forked River, NJ 08731. Interment will follow at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery at 350 Provinceline Rd., Wrightstown, NJ 08562. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Howard's memory to Lacey Food Bank or Lacey United Methodist Church earmarked for the chairlift fund.