Manfred Gans Obituary

Spoke about days as German Jew fighting Nazis

Chemical engineer Manfred Gans spoke from time to time about his World War II experiences as a German Jew fighting the Nazis with the British.

School and synagogue groups in Bergen County heard his compelling story: Sent to live in England as Hitler was rising in power, Mr. Gans was recruited |by an elite commando unit created by Lord Mountbatten.

Using the name Gray to |protect his identity, he saw |action throughout the European continent and interrogated captured German troops to collect intelligence for the |British. At war's end, he found |his parents at the just-liberated Terezincq Concentration Camp, |in what is now the Czech Republic.

Mr. Gans decided several years ago to put his recollections into writing for the benefit of his grandsons. His memoir, "Life Gave Me a Chance," was published in 2009.

Mr. Gans, who had lived in Leonia for nearly half a century, died Sunday at home his home in Fort Lee. He was 88.

"He was a guy who told it like it was," said his son, Daniel.

He also was a man of high spirits. Mr. Gans was never down, his son said, not even in his final months, when he was rendered paraplegic because of the neck injury he suffered during the war.

Mr. Gans, who came from Borkencq, a German town bordering the Netherlands, realized his boyhood dream of becoming a chemical engineer. He received a degree in that discipline from the University of Manchester in England |and a master's degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

He worked for Scientific Design Co., a chemical engineering firm in New York, and then had a consulting business.

Mr. Gans first spoke about his wartime experiences in 1988. He traveled to his hometown to lecture to students.

March 2002 found him close to home an eighth-grade assembly at Leonia Middle School.

"The children in Germany are no different than you," he told |the students. "They dress the same, look the same, and listen |to the same music." But the German children, he said, are not taught enough about the Nazi atrocities.

Mr. Gans is survived by his children, Aviva Rosenberg of Basking Ridge and Daniel Gans of Hoboken; a brother, Gershon Kaddarcq of Israel; three grandsons; and his companion, Esther Okin. His wife, Anita, died in 1991.

The funeral is this morningtues at 11 at Wien & Wien Memorial Chapels, Hackensack. Burial will be in Cedar Park Cemetery, Paramus.

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Published by The Record/Herald News from Sep. 13 to Sep. 14, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Manfred Gans

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7 Entries

Tilman Reitzle

September 19, 2010

Please accept my deepest condolences. I felt honored and fortunate to have met Manfred and Anita Gans so many years ago at Temple in Hoboken. I was deeply touched by their stories, their humanity, and felt honored to have shared a table with them. My deepest condolences go out to Danny and the entire family.

ER Liberatore

September 16, 2010

As a friend to Danny and classmate of Aviva, I am getting to know Manfred, the author, through his experiences shared in, Life gave me a chance. Hopefully, the messages that he has left for us to read will reach his "extended grandchildren" in the community he served so well.

Josh Trachtenberg

September 14, 2010

To Danny, Aviva, Esther and the entire Gans family, Manfred was a true hero to me from the moment I first met him as a young child through coming to understand his triumphant accomplishments during World War II, life, and as a dear and beloved friend to my grandparents and entire family. My memories of Manfred are all fond, warm, and endearing. As was deeply signified by the love and affection your entire family expressed and showed to him whenever I was fortunate enough to be present to witness it, Manfred was a truly special human being who has deeply impacted my life. May you all be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Barry Glasgow

September 13, 2010

My parents lived in Leonia NJ and attended Sons of Israel while Manfred was president, past preseident and president again. He always spoke strongly for Israel, but rationally and with balance. His talks on the war years and how he returned to Germany and East Germany was fascinating. Manfred was very wise about both secular and non-secular disciplines.

Gabrielle Jonas Bloom

September 13, 2010

I'm sorry for your grief, Danny.
Your father was a remarkable man and he lives through you and Dylan.

Steven Karras

September 13, 2010

My deepest condolences to the Gans family (and Esther)during this difficult time. I will miss Manfred and always think of his kindness, generosity and what a remarkable life he led.

Rose Lizarraga

September 13, 2010

I had the pleasure of meeting Manfred Gans a few years ago when my partner Steve and I interviewed him for the documentary film we were working on. I was immediately captivated by him. He was so intelligent, well-spoken, gallant - a real gentleman, and, so kind.

He told us stories of his life in Germany, his plight as a Jewish refugee and of his service in WWII. We were mesmerized by the way he told them. He was so courageous and yet so humble. But what impressed me the most was his incredible humanity. In talking about whether or not he wanted to exact revenge on the Nazis, he said no, and added, "revenge isn't something that sends me very far." I will always remember that, and the story he told about finding his parents at the end of the war alive in Terezen, the camp in what was then Czechoslovakia. He was and will always be someone to admire. I am so grateful I had the opportunity to meet him, talk with him and capture his wonderful story on film.

My deepest condolences to the Gans family for this tremendous loss. I hope in time you will all find comfort in the wonderful memories you have of him.

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