Obituary of Harry J. Tammadge

Harry J. “Pudge” Tammadge of Freehold Township died peacefully, surrounded by his family at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold, Monday, August 9th. He was born in Brooklyn, New York to Louise G. and Harry J. Tammadge, Sr. Harry studied printing at The New York School of Printing in Manhattan. His apprenticeship was interrupted with his acceptance in to the United States Army during World War II. He was a decorated member of the 82nd Airborne “All-American” Division, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, “The Devils in Baggy Pants,” Company G. Having fought in Italy, France, Holland and Germany, 1943-1945, he was awarded two Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart and the Belgian Fourragere 1940. As a member of America’s Honor Guard, he participated in the occupation of Berlin. Harry completed 27 parachute jumps including a remarkable five combat drops. He participated in the river crossing attack to seize the Nijmegen Bridge in a scene made famous in the movie “A Bridge Too Far.” He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and an honorary member of Disabled American Veterans, Freehold Chapter. Harry worked as a printer, ironworker, commercial fisherman, carpenter and bartender. He was a voracious reader, history buff, lifelong, passionate New York Yankee fan, thoroughbred horseracing enthusiast and had an encyclopedic knowledge of music and movie trivia. He loved and cared deeply for all his family, friends and just about every cat and dog he ever met. He was preceded in death by his most beloved wife of 54 years, Doris Marie Tammadge, parents Louise & Harry, dearest sisters, Margaret Turnbull, Patricia Cloutier, Pearl Schwacke, Elizabeth “Betty” Engler and brother William Tammadge. Harry is survived by his children, Patricia & Richard Hamilton, John Tammadge, Michael Tammadge all of Freehold, Terry Tammadge of Austin, Texas and Jim & Katy Tammadge of McLean, Virginia; his grandchildren Lori & Charles Cogliano of Blairstown, Richard & Kim Hamilton of Freehold and Megan & Kristofer Zarling of Broomfield, Colorado; and great-grandchildren Ashley Marie, Charles and Anthony Cogliano of Blairstown and Richard Thomas Hamilton III of Freehold. Harry’s family will receive visitors at Higgins Memorial Home, 20 Center Street, Freehold on Friday August 13th, from 2-4 p.m. and in the evening from 7-9. Interment at Cypress Hills Cemetery in New York on Saturday, August 14th. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Disabled American Veterans, Freehold Chapter No. 74; Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4374, Freehold, New Jersey; or Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey, Hospice Services