Eugene R. Packer

Eugene R. Packer

- - Following a valiant two-year battle with pancreatic cancer, Dr. Eugene Packer died at the age of 69 on Friday, September 7, 2018, in the company of his wife and daughter. Known to most as Gene, he was born in Bronx, New York to Morton and Gertrude Packer, and raised in Yonkers. A 1967 graduate of Bronx High School of Science, he earned a B.S. in Psychology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1971, an M.A. from New York University in 1975, and a PhD in 2004. Dedicated to a life of service to education and the community, Dr. Packer taught high school chemistry and physics for nearly 30 years mostly at Bergenfield and Fair Lawn High Schools, and he was an adjunct professor of psychology at William Paterson University. A lifelong fencer, he bestowed his passion for the sport upon young fencers as the fencing coach at Fair Lawn High School for 20 years, earning Coach of the Year in 2016. A certified armorer and frequent officiant of fencing competitions throughout New Jersey and New York, he was also a member of the New Jersey Division of the United States Fencing Association Executive Committee. In addition to his love of fencing, Dr. Packer was an outspoken advocate for the refugee community. As an expert in post-traumatic stress disorder, he counseled and treated refugees seeking political asylum in the United States, and testified on their behalf as an expert witness in court, always pro bono. An avid collector of books and music lover, Dr. Packer also adored animals; especially his cats. Always the joker and prankster, his infectious smile lit up a room, and he earned the nickname "King of Dad Jokes" from his daughter, who always laughed at his jokes, no matter how many times he told the same one. Dr. Packer is survived by a village of family and friends who will never forget the exceptional life he lived, or the way he touched each of their lives, including: his wife, Sheila (née Prail); his daughter, Rachel Packer and her husband Joe Ratliff (who he loved watching baseball with); his step-children, Sara Weinberg Williamson and Adam Weinberg (who he considered his own); his grandchildren, Hannah and Easton Williamson; and his sister, Shelly Packer. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 12th at 11:00 a.m. at the Jewish Memorial Chapel in Clifton, New Jersey, and shiva will be observed at the home of Sheila Packer on Thursday and Friday from 2:00-7:00 p.m., and at the home of Rachel Packer on Saturday and Sunday from 2:00-7:00 p.m. Donations in his memory may be made to Casa de Esperanza non-profit organization for immigrants and refugees in Bound Brook, New Jersey (casaesperanzanj.com; 732-748-1111), the Bergen County Animal Shelter in Teterboro, New Jersey, and the Fair Lawn High School Fencing Program.