Alfred Goerke, Veteran and Freehold Resident, Dies at 81

Alfred R. Goerke, 81, of Freehold passed away on Thursday, August 22, 2013 surrounded by his loving wife, children, and grandchildren at CentraState Medical Center.  Alfred was born in Newark and was raised in Maplewood and had lived in Fayetteville, North Carolina and Old Bridge before moving to Freehold in 2000.  Alfred was a graduate of Seton Hall Prep High School, St. Peter’s College and received his Master’s degree from Rutgers University.  He was a U.S. Army Veteran.  Alfred was a statistician for RCA (now General Electric), Somerville for over thirty years until retiring.  He was an accomplished swimmer and coach.  He was a parishioner of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, Farmingdale, a former parishioner of Sacred Heart Parish, South Amboy and a 3rd Degree Knight of Columbus, Sayreville, #2061.  Throughout his life, Alfred let his faith and his bible guide him but his true love was for his wife and family.

Alfred is survived by his wife of 58 years, Dolores J. Goerke; two sons, Richard Goerke of Eatontown and Michael J. Goerke of Freehold; three daughters, Carol VanAssen and her husband, John of Fort Mill, South Carolina, Cheryl Crissscuolo and her husband, Paul of Point Pleasant, and Christine Policari and her husband, Guy of Old Bridge; ten grandchildren, Jennifer, Jonathan, Jessica, Andrea, Julie, Melissa, Paul, Jordon, Dianna and Leah; one great granddaughter, Katie; and a brother, Harold Goerke and his wife, Dorothy of Manasquan.

A visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524) on Monday, August 26, 2013 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.  Relatives and friends may gather at the funeral home on Tuesday, August 27, 2013 at 9 a.m. for the Procession to St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 31 Asbury Road, Farmingdale for his 10 a.m. Funeral Mass.  Entombment will follow in Holy Cross Burial Park, Jamesburg.  For information, directions or condolence messages to the family visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.