Norman Ronald Gruenberg

Norman Ronald Gruenberg, a beloved family man, passed away on Thursday, February 5, 2026, in Bridgewater, New Jersey, at the age of 95. Born on May 3, 1930, in Jersey City, New Jersey, Norman lived a long life rich with love, laughter and devotion to his family and career.

Norman's career as a licensed professional engineer and electrical engineer spanned many years and included esteemed positions at notable organizations such as Western Electric, Metro Glass, Research Cottrell, and Novartis. During his career, he worked on many important projects to curb the impact of coal burning plants and was a leader in his field. Working well into his 80’s, he loved to review plans and drawings created by others to which he would take out his red pen and make corrections the “old fashioned way.”

In addition to his professional achievements, Norman honorably served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War Conflict. While he was not a combat veteran, his service in the military, love for country and our democracy was a strong influence on his family. He often recited that he would “walk his post in a military manner’ while being the most peaceful, loving man adored by all who met him.

Norman was not only an accomplished professional but also a passionate and avid gardener. He made beautiful garden paths and flower beds out of the rocky soil of Bethlehem Township and proudly remarked that he personally moved every single rock and boulder that could be seen (of which there were thousands and thousands). Family photos were always taken in Pop Pop’s Garden where the children would run and play in the Gnome House that he built out of, you guessed it, rocks.

Woodworking was another of his cherished hobbies, reflecting his creativity and craftsmanship. His family’s cherished possessions include desks, drafting tables, dry-sinks, shelves and other furniture he made with his loving hands. Each grandchild possesses a handmade toy box with their name chiseled into it that they all still maintain no matter how old they are.

He was a former member of the Temple Covenant of Peace, where he volunteered as chair of the Building and Grounds Committee where there were thankfully less rocks than in Bethlehem Township.

But most of all, his family will remember him for the loving man that he was. His legacy is the many engineers, gardeners, joke tellers, woodworkers and Shakespeare reciters who all have one thing in common: the desire to be just like him. They will miss his bear hugs, recitation of the Gettysburg Address, Shakespeare recitals and the occasional off-color limerick spoken on the sly. And his laugh. Always a laugh.

His legacy is carried on by his loving family. Norman is survived by his devoted spouse of over 37 years Myrna (Nina) Gruenberg, along with his children: Honi Gruenberg and her husband, Skip Spady; Jeff Gruenberg and his wife, Vanessa; Steven Gruenberg and his wife, Joi; Joseph Maduro; and David Weinstein and his wife, Erin Hanley. The joy of his life was amplified by his grandchildren: David Grasing and his wife, Christina Tatu; Elizabeth Grasing and her husband, Christopher Evans; Nathaniel Gruenberg and his fiancée, Cassandra Rogers; Shelley Gruenberg; Abigail Gruenberg; Maggie Hanley; Jason Perkins and his wife Ashley; Wil Spady and his wife, Karyn, and Kyle Perkins. The family is also graced with the presence of his great-grandchildren: Emilia Evans; Norah Evans; Alexander Grasing; Adam Lewis; and James Perkins.

Norman was preceded in death by his father, Emmett Gruenberg; his mother, Alice Leve; his first wife, Johanna Gruenberg; and his sister, Judith Cummins.

Visitation services for Norman Ronald Gruenberg will be held on Monday, February 16, 2026, at Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, New Jersey, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and again from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with services to take place at 7:00 PM. A graveside service will take place on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at Flemington Jewish Community Cemetery, 61 Capner Street, Flemington, New Jersey beginning at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Environmental Defense Fund, P.O. Box 98051, Washington, DC 20090 or by clicking the link here.

For further information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.holcombefisher.com.