Obituary: Harry Sickles, Former Marlboro Fire Chief

Harry C. Sickles, 84, of Toms River, died Tuesday, Aug. 28 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune.

Mr. Sickles was born in Cranbury and had resided in Marlboro and Spring Lake Heights before moving to Toms River. He was a bus driver for Asbury Park-New York Transit, Asbury Park before his retirement. Prior to that, he was employed at the former Marlboro State Hospital. He was an and a member of Spring Lake Fire Company No. 2 and the Blue Knights Chapter No. 15.

Harry loved to be on his motorcycle and would ride with his family and friends at every opportunity and to spend the winter in Florida with his beloved girlfriend, Norma Ott.

He was predeceased by his wife, Shirley Sickles; two brothers, Willard and Chester Sickles and a sister, Thelma Wilson. Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, John and Alison Mitchell; three daughters and sons-in-law, Suzanne and Paul Mertz, Stacey and Bill Harris, and Sharon and Glenn Gowdy; his grandchildren, Chase and Kristen Mitchell, Ashley Zinser and her husband George, Sierra Harris, Davis Mertz, and Harley and Savannah Gowdy; and a soon to be great-granddaughter, Sophia Lynn; and his beloved girlfriend, Norma Ott.

Visiting will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31 at the Higgins Memorial Home, 20 Center St., Freehold.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 1 at the funeral home, followed by entombment at Monmouth Memorial Park, Tinton Falls.

Memorial donations to the Marlboro Fire Company or Spring Lake Fire Company No. 2 would be appreciated.