Obituary of Robert Birrer

Robert A. Birrer, 87, died peacefully with his family by his side on Tuesday, June 24, 2014. Born and raised in Midland Park he was a long time resident of Franklin Lakes and was still in the house he built with his brothers in the early 1950's. Robert served his country proudly in the U.S. Army during WWII. He put himself through night school at Rutgers while working full time and building his house on the weekends. Robert spent his entire working career as an accountant with McBride Enterprises in Urban Farms, Franklin Lakes comprising a number of different roles in the company. He retired in 1994. He was known for running the popular Art show at the Urban Farms Shopping center, which he also managed successfully for years. Robert was an early parishioner of Most Blessed Sacrament R.C. Church and served on the Parish Council. He left his beloved vegetable garden and bonsai trees behind. He was a longtime youth baseball and soccer coach in town and was instrumental in establishing the Franklin Lakes soccer program. Robert is survived by his loving wife of 59 years Virginia A. Birrer; a daughter Nancy E. ; four sons: Edward V., his wife Deborah, Robert J. , his wife Beatrice, Gregory A., his wife Terri and Brian J., his wife Carol; eight grandchildren: Lynne, Max, Kyle, Mary, Nathaniel, Samuel, Thomas and Jack. Also surviving is his sister, Marguerite Verbeke, and her husband Charles. The Birrer family will receive family and friends on Friday, June 27th from 2-4 & 7-9 PM at Vander Plaat Funeral Home, (vpfh.com), 257 Godwin Ave., Wyckoff. The funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, June 28th at 10:00 AM at Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 787 Franklin Lake Rd., Franklin Lakes. Interment will follow at Christ the King Cemetery, 980 Huron Rd. Franklin Lakes. Contributions in Robert's memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 1701 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311.