Obituary of Gene R. Kanzler

Gene R. Kanzler, 61, of Jackson Township passed away on Friday, March 5, 2021 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. He was born in Queens, N.Y. and was raised in Freehold Township. He was a member of Local No. 2287, Carpenters and Joiners Union, New York City. Gene was a member of the Central Jersey Rifle and Pistol Club and a volunteer for Road to Recovery, an American Cancer Society support program. He was an avid fisherman and boater who loved the Florida Keys, enjoyed gardening, collecting and restoring Tonka trucks, Model trains, and antique lanterns, and repairing fishing poles. Gene proudly restored a 1968 Chevrolet Camaro and a Triumph Bonneville motorcycle. He was a Grateful Dead and NASCAR fan, and enjoyed his time with his “furry friends.” His family was his life and loved them dearly. He was predeceased by his father, William A. Kanzler, in 2007. Surviving are his wife, Jean McNamara Kanzler; a daughter, Kaitlyn DiSpigna and husband Niel; his mother, Diane Kanzler; his siblings, William (Donna), Michael, (Katie), Barbara, (Diane) and Kim Schweer (Kevin); a sister-in-law, Margie McNamara; two brothers-in-law, Patrick and Brian McNamara; and many nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews. A celebration of Gene’s life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations to the Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA of Backpacks For Life, Jersey City https://www.backpacksforlife.org/donate would be appreciated. Higgins Memorial Home, Freehold is in charge of Arrangements.