Obituary of William A. Kanzler

William A. Kanzler, 74, of Freehold Township died Friday, November 30, 2007 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. He was born in New York City and had resided in Freehold Township since 1962. Bill was the owner of Four Seasons Sports Center, Freehold Township for 30 years until his retirement 12 years ago. Prior to that he was employed by Freehold Dairy for 15 years. He was a pitcher in the St. Louis Cardinals farm system from 1952 to 1954. He was an umpire in the college and high school leagues, Freehold Babe Ruth League where he was half of the “Fearsome Twosome”, and Freehold Township Little League. He was the first coach in the St. Rose of Lima Varsity Basketball Boys and Girls teams. He was the former Freehold Township Welfare Director. Mr. Kanzler was a life member of B.P.O.E. Lodge No. 1454, Freehold where he was named Elk of the Year, a member of Freehold Council No. 1672, Knight of Columbus, Optimist Club of Freehold, a honorary member of the Philip A. Reynolds Detachment, Marine Corps League; a honorary member of the East Freehold Fire Company; a 31 year member of the Board of Fire Commissioners for Freehold Township Fire District No. 2 where he had served as chairman; a special friend of the Freehold Fire Department; a honorary member of the Alapaha Fire Department, Alapaha, Georgia; a communicant of St. Rose of Lima R.C. Church, Freehold where he served as a Eucharistic minister and sacristan; and was the best Santa Freehold ever saw. He was predeceased by his parents, Matthew P. and Marie Kanzler; a sister, Joan Kanzler, a brother, Matthew P. Kanzler; a brother-in-law, Richard Kirn and a sister-in-law, Doris Gaeta. Surviving are his beloved wife of 53 years, Diane L. Kanzler; his children, William J. Kanzler and his wife, Donna, Jackson Township, Barbara Kanzler, Freehold, Gene Kanzler and his wife, Jean, and Kim Schweer and her husband, Kevin, all of Jackson Township, and Michael Kanzler and his wife, Katie, Millstone Township; his grandchildren, Jennifer Celli and her husband John, Yardley, Penn, Candice Zane, North Plainfield, Kevin and Billy Schweer and Kaitlyn Kanzler, all of Jackson Township, and Michael and Danny Kanzler, Millstone Township; a great grandson, Will Celli, Yardley, Pennsylvania; his brothers and sisters in law, Robert and Joan Masaro, Joan Kirn, Anthony Gaeta, Caroline Kanzler; many nieces and nephews; and an extended family of his many Freehold friends. Visiting hours will be held at the Higgins Memorial Home, 20 Center Street, Freehold on Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at St. Rose of Lima R.C. Church, Freehold on Monday at 8:30 a.m. followed by interment at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery, Freehold. Memorial donations to the Freehold First Aid and Emergency Squad, 18 Spring Street, Freehold, NJ 07728 would be appreciated.