Paul Dwight Lampe passed away peacefully on Friday, Dec. 20, 2013, in Hewitt. He was 86.
Mr. Lampe died at the home of his daughter, Laurie, which he helped build, with his son-in-law and best friend Michael with him. Paul was married for 59 years to his adored wife, Elizabeth Catherine, who predeceased him. He met “Betty” at a Grange Hall in south Jersey where he had lived with his family as a farmer. His father and uncles owned a family circus.
Paul joined the Navy at the end of World War II - because of the Sullivan Act, he had to wait until one of his siblings left the service - and was honorably discharged. He worked as a cook at the Philips Inn (now the Rams Head Inn) and then, after marrying, moved to Passaic and then West Milford. He was a proud Teamster, was voted in as shop steward and worked in Clifton for 25 years. While working for the union, he owned and operated Paul Lampe & Son Plumbing in West Milford, relying on “word of mouth” instead of advertising. He did the plumbing and well drilling for Jungle Habitat and was a commissioner for the Wanaque Regional Sewerage.
Paul and Betty lived in Florida for a number of years, where he worked overseeing the water/sewerage lines as a consultant. Paul loved his family, playing Pinochle, his dogs that predeceased him and even grew to like his grandcat, Caliban, who guarded his bed.
He is survived by his cherished daughter, Laurie Byro and her husband Mike, (Paul’s other son), a brother Edward of Egg Harbor, a sister Pauline “Toots” Fekete of Ridge, Md., a sister-in-law Peggy Solenthaler of Toms River, grandchildren Danny and Alyssia and great-grandchildren.
Along with his wife, Paul was predeceased by a son Paul “Butch” in 1997.
Private funeral arrangements were made by Richards Funeral Home, West Milford.