Obituary of Frederick John Maurer

Frederick John Maurer Fred made his mark along the Eastern coast with his brush and a can of paint. Whether it was lettering a boat along the Atlantic coast or a store front sign, painting was his means for affording his first love, fishing. Being on his boat, "Reel Fun", with a rod in hand and chewing on a cigar was his heaven on earth. His failing health over the past few years due to combination of strokes and heart attacks led to a peaceful departure on Wednesday, March 21, 2012. Fred was born in Camden, NJ on November 14, 1918 to Frederick J Maurer and Gertrude Kneisel Maurer. He was the elder to his sisters Mildred Maurer Williams and Evelyn Marriott Smith both deceased. He graduated from Haddon Heights High School, class of 1939, where his athleticism shined on the football and track fields. He then married his high school sweetheart, Irene (Krug) Maurer who was taken from him early due to breast cancer after 34 years of marriage. Later he remarried to Jeanette Rosell (Peterson) Maurer who was his beloved wife by his side for the remaining 39 years of his life. Fred worked at Cramps Ship Yard in Camden, NJ before serving in the US Army during WWII and stayed state side once his commander discovered his talent with a brush. He spent his time in the Army painting signs for the military and upon his discharge continued his aptitude for painting by starting his sign business, Tell the World with Signs, in Haddon Heights, NJ. A few trips a year to their shore home in the Villa's for Fred's fishing excursions wasn't sufficient. In the early 1950's Fred's yearning for the ocean triggered him to move his family and business to Cape May, NJ. Once in Cape May, he joined the US Coast Guard auxiliary (past commander/ retired), became a member of the School Board of Lower Township, the Crescent Shriners, and Freed and Accepted Masons Lodge #30. After many, many years of spending winters separated from the sea, Fred and his wife Jean, decided to become snowbirds and spend their winters in Jupiter, FL where he could resume fishing. He will be greatly missed by his surviving family; brother in law, Herb Krug and sister in law, Bette Riding, his children and grandchildren; son, Frederick T Maurer (Patty), grandchildren Kristine Gardner and David Maurer; daughter, Linda J Gordon (Edward), and grandchildren Eric Gordon (Debra), Amy Doman (Alexander), Johanna McNamee (Vincent), and Meg Gansz (Daniel); son Glenn J Maurer (Lyda), and grandchildren Stacie Bitting (Jeffrey), Glenn Maurer, Sheena Maurer and James Maurer; stepson Lewis Peterson (Joanne), and grandchildren Edward Peterson (Barbara) and Pamela Bing (Gene); and stepson R. Raymond Peterson (deceased), grandchildren Cristy Moore (Jeffry), Cathy York (Greg), Angela Groves (Rob), Warren Garrison and step-grandson Steven Larro. In addition to entertaining his grandchildren with "Row, Row your boat." he had 35 great-grand children and many nieces and nephews whom were fortunate enough to also take that ride on his knee ".gently down the stream". A memorial will be held at the Evoy Funeral Home, 3218 Bayshore Road, N Cape May, NJ on Thursday, March 29th at 1:00 followed by a service at 2:00. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Fred's memory to a charity of your choice. To send online condolences please visit Evoy's website at www.evoyfuneralhome.com