William B. Fernekes

William B. Fernekes of 1 Leisure Court, Flemington NJ passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 10, 2012 at the age of 90.

Born in Jersey City, NJ he was the only child of Robert Fernekes and Margaret Carrick. Growing up in Jersey City, William was a graduate of Henry Snyder High School, Class of 1939. He enlisted in the United States Navy in early 1942, serving as a radioman/gunner 3rd class in a flight squadron of SBD Dauntless dive bombers on the aircraft carrier U. S. S. Ranger, and seeing action in the North Atlantic and during the invasion of North Africa. Selected as a candidate for a naval officers candidate training program, he was honorably discharged from the U. S. Navy in 1946.

He married Josephine Claire Mangnante of Orange NJ in 1950, and had their child, William Robert Fernekes in 1952. Relocating to Monmouth County and William Fernekes served in supervisory and claims adjuster roles with the American Insurance and Allstate Insurance companies, retiring from Allstate in the mid-1980s after a quarter century of service. Following Josephine’s death in 1988, William resided in Monmouth County until his move to Flemington in September 2011. He is survived by his son William R. of Raritan Township.

Interment was private and took place on Monday, May 14, 2012 under the direction of the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ. The family will receive visitors at their home at 41 Bristol Avenue, Flemington NJ on Friday, May 18 from 2-5 p.m.

Memorial donations supporting the collection and preservation of World War II history by the Rutgers Oral History Archives, a subject dear to William B. Fernekes, can be made payable to The Rutgers University Foundation, c/o Rutgers Oral History Archives, 18 Bishop Place, New Brunswick NJ 08901

Please visit www.holcombefisher.com for further information, or to send condolences.