Leonard Hedinger Jr.

Leonard Hedinger, Jr.

AGE: 80 •

Leonard Hedinger, Jr., 80, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Wednesday, September 14, at Community Medical Center in Toms River, NJ. He was born in Orange, NJ, and moved to Caldwell where he graduated high school in 1953. He moved to Toms River in 1956. Len was a proud Marine serving from 1953 to 1956 attaining the rank of Sergeant. He remained faithful to the Corps and remembered their birthday every November. Once a Marine, always a Marine. Semper Fi.

Len owned and operated Shore Tire Company in Brick, NJ, until he retired in 1996. He was the happiest retired guy anyone ever met. His retirement was filled with happy granddaughter babysitting duties. They loved his "Pop Pop's pancakes: because they were made with love. Len was a member of the Toms River Board of Education for ten years, serving two terms as President. His dedication to education continued as he went on to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Toms River Student Loan Fund for the past eleven years. He was also a former member of the Dover MUA, serving one term as Chair.

Len was appointed by Gov. Kean to serve on the State Committee to Study Benefits for Professional Boxers. From there he was appointed to a position as Boxing Inspector and Official Scorekeeper. In 2011, Gov. Christie appointed him as a Commissioner of the State Athletic Control Board. He loved the sport of boxing and met many famous and not so famous boxers over the past three decades.

Len loved the NY Yankees, the NY Giants, any boxing match, and wintering in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Along with his wife, he travelled to many places around the world. His favorite place was Hawaii. His hobby was eating breakfast with his friends at Poppy's Place. But most of all, he loved his family and they loved him.

Len is predeceased by his father Len Hedinger. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Carole; his two daughters: Cathleen Turi of Toms River, and Susan Guida and her husband Vincent of Lanoka Harbor; and his two granddaughters: Melissa Lauren and Amanda Carole Guida. His girls were the loves of his life. Len is also survived by his mother Eileen; his brother Tom Hedinger and his wife Joann of Manchester; his cousin John Davis and his wife Patricia of California; and many nieces and nephews - many of whom claim he was their favorite uncle.

Visitation will be Sunday, September 18, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM, at the Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home, 703 Main Street, Toms River, NJ. Funeral services will be held Monday at 10:30 AM at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery, Toms River. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Toms River Student Loan Fund, 1108 Hooper Ave, Suite 3, Toms River, NJ 08753. Family and friends are invited to visit www.andersonandcampbell.com to leave tributes to his family.