William Lee Haacker Of Oakhurst Dies At 60

Courtesy of Damiano Funeral Home:

William Lee Haacker, age 60, of Oakhurst, died January 13, 2016 at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch.

Bill was born in New Brunswick and had lived in Asbury Park before moving to Oakhurst 27 years ago. He was the always loving husband of Patricia McDaniel Haacker, and the proud father of Ethan Haacker, whom he dearly loved.

Bill was a man of many talents and interests. He was a graduate of Trenton State College, where he was editor-in-chief of the Signal, the college paper. He was an award-winning journalist who worked at several New Jersey newspapers, primarily the Asbury Park Press, where he was a reporter and then a copy editor for 30 years until 2013.

Recently, he was writing insightful book reviews on economic issues for Financial Advisor Magazine in Shrewsbury. He was a lover of history, and was the go-to source at work for military or historical facts. He created a beautiful garden at home for his family, and hosted many fun barbeques there. He loved the Yankees and the Jets – no matter what they did to their fans. But above all else, Bill was a husband and father – loyal, kind and always there for his wife and son. We will use his warmth and life as an example to follow.

He was predeceased by his parents, William C. Haacker, III and Enid Haacker; and his brother, Richard Haacker in 1993. Surviving is his wife Patricia McDaniel Haacker; his son, Ethan Haacker; two brothers, Dr. David S. Haacker of Secaucus and Paul Haacker of South Hackensack and many other extended family members, including Fred DiAngelis of Secaucus, and friends in the New Jersey journalism community.

Friends may join the family for a memorial gathering on Monday, January 18 from 2 p.m. until the time of the Remembrance Service at 3:30 p.m. at the Damiano Funeral Home, 191 Franklin Ave., (corner of Third Ave.) in Long Branch.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Monmouth County SPCA, P.O. Box 93, Eatontown, NJ 07724 or PBS, NY (checks payable to) “Thirteen”, Membership Dept. 825 Eighth Ave. 14th Floor, New York, NY 10019. The family invites you to write a letter of condolence, share a story or make a donation by selecting a tab on the left.