George Klinger, Longtime Shade Tree Commissioner, Dies at 78

George J. Klinger, 78, of Freehold Township, passed away at home surrounded by his family on Friday, August 16, 2013. George was born in Oradell, was raised on the family farm in New Milford, and had lived in Oradell before moving to Freehold Township in 1977. He was a U.S. Army veteran serving in the Korean War. George was a safety engineer for AETNA Insurance, Parsippany for over twenty-five years retiring in 1994. Prior to that, he was a tree technician for Asplundh Tree Expert Company. George was a parishioner and usher at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church. He a Shade Tree Commissioner for over 34 years in Freehold Township, served on the Open Space Committee, and volunteered at the Oakley Farm. George was a member of the NJ Shade Tree Federation, NJ Community Forestry Council, where he was the 2001 recipient of the Joyce Kilmer Award, and the NJ Industrial Safety Committee, where he was the 11th Annual Green Community Achievement Award receipt in 2003. He was the Volunteer of the year for the National Arborist Association in 2001. George was a member of the International Society of Arborculture and was a 30-year member of Ansi-Z-133 Committee. He also volunteered as a boys and girls soccer coach for the Freehold Township Recreational and Traveling Soccer Clubs.

George was predeceased by two brothers, Herman Klinger, Jr. and William Klinger. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Patricia; his children, George and his wife, Suzanne of Wall Twp., Lisa Marie of Ft. Myers, Florida, and Kevin of Freehold Twp.; and his grand puppy, Sierra.

Visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Monday, August 19, 2013 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Relatives and friends may gather at the funeral home on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 at 10:15 a.m. for the procession to St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township for his 11:15 a.m. Funeral Mass. Interment will be private. For those who desire, contributions in memory of George may be made to the Freehold First Aid Squad, 16 Spring Street, Freehold, NJ 07728.  For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.