Howard G. Wachenfeld

Howard G. Wachenfeld, 95, of West Caldwell, NJ, passed away peacefully on January 26, 2025.
Born and raised in Orange, he was the son of former associate justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court, William A Wachenfeld, and Ann (Weir) Wachenfeld. He lived in South Orange from 1960 until 2010 before settling in West Caldwell. He attended Newark Academy, where he was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame for swimming. He received his bachelor's degree from University of Virginia and graduated from NYU with his law degree. Later, he received his master's degree from NYU in taxation. Howard served in the Navy during the Korean War, honorably as a Lieutenant Junior Grade and Gunnery Officer. Prior to his retirement, he was a partner in the law firm Tompkins, McGuire, Wachenfeld & Barry in Roseland. He was a fellow of the American Bar Association and the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel as well as a member of the NJ & NY Bar Associations. He and his beloved wife Barabra were active members of the Orange Lawn Tennis Club, Short Hill Club, and the Rock Spring Golf Club where they made many lasting friendships.
Howard was generous with his time and expertise, volunteering for countless boards and charities including Trustee and Treasurer for the Community Day Nursery (East Orange, NJ), Trustee and Vice President of the Hospital Center at Orange ( Orange, NJ), Trustee at Newark Academy ( Livingston, NJ), Trustee for the Charles Hayden Foundation ( NYC), and the Board of Governors and Secretary for Orange Lawn Tennis Club ( South Orange, NJ).
He had an adventurous and fun loving spirit which he satisfied with such moments as a trip to Africa to see a total eclipse of the sun ( and threw in a safari while there), hot air balloon and glider rides, an Outward Bound trip down the Colorado River, Super Bowl XXV with his brother Bill ( Giants 20, Bills 19!) and the family famous sea plane ride to his summer house in Greenport NY.
He is pre-deceased by his wife, Barbara M. Wachenfeld (Hart) and his son, Donald Wachenfeld, and his siblings, William, Donald, Elise, and David.
Surviving are his beloved children, Wendy Drummond and her husband John, Jeffrey Wachenfeld and his wife Joanne, and Scott Wachenfeld and his wife Diane; loving grandchildren, Matthew (Emily), Timothy (Stefanie), Kristen, Jeffrey (Clarissa), Amanda (Gino), Bradley, Daniel, Colleen, Lauren, and Dylan; cherished great-grandchildren, John, Maximus, Mollie, and Katrina.
Relatives and friends are invited for visitation on Sunday, February 2, 2025 from 1-4 pm at the Shook-Farmer Funeral Home, 45 Roseland Avenue, Roseland, NJ 07068, shookfarmer.com. A Funeral Ceremony with military honors will begin at 3:30 pm at the funeral home. Cremation will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, stjude.org or to the Shriners Children Hospitals, shrinerschildrens.org.