Obituary of Ernest Maylahn

Ernest “Erne” A. Maylahn, 90, of Ho-Ho-Kus, N.J., died March 17, 2019 at the Christian Health Care Center, Wyckoff, N.J.

Born and raised in New York City, Erne took the subway to Brooklyn Tech High School, where he developed an interest in science and especially radio. After graduating, he proudly served his country during the Korean War as a communications specialist in the 304^th Signal Battalion.

Before going overseas, Erne got engaged to the love of his life, Regina Delucia, to whom he would be married for 50 years. He waited 15 years for his reunion with Gina, who predeceased him in 2004.

After returning to the United States from Korea, Erne and Gina raised two daughters and built their dream home in Ho-Ho-Kus. They used its spacious common areas to hold many parties attended by Gina’s sisters’ families,, extended family members and friends from Rochelle Park, N.J., where they had purchased their first home.

He loved conversation, classical music, a bourbon Manhattan (or two), sparing no expense for his two regular stray cats and driving long distances to places like Acadia National Park in Maine, the Outer Banks of North Carolina and Florida. When they weren’t driving, Erne and Gina also enjoyed travel on the QE II and trips to Hawaii, Las Vegas, Branson, Mo., Nashville, the Caribbean and wherever the 304^th Signal Battalion held its annual reunions.

For his career in business, Erne found his way into the fire sprinkler industry accidently, answering a classified “Auto Sprnk” ad, thinking it had something to do with automobiles. He worked first at H.G. Vogel Sprinkler Co. and the Viking Sprinkler Corp. In the 1960s, Erne founded Fireguard Sprinkler Corp. of Ridgefield Park with his friend and partner, Walter Steinel. They built the business, with their wives’ help, out of their dining rooms and basement offices into a business that is thriving today.

He was a devoted and generous husband, father, grandfather and employer, the embodiment of the highest characteristics of the Greatest Generation.

Erne was the son of Otto and Pauline (Jahnke) Maylahn, who preceded him in death. He also was predeceased by his brother, Paul, and sister, Caroline, both of New York City.

He is survived by daughters Paula, of Northvale and her partner, Richard Foster; and Deirdre, wife of Timothy Darragh of Bethlehem, Pa.; grandson Daniel Darragh of Riverview, Fla. and granddaughter Kerry Darragh of Arnold, Md.; nieces and nephews Josie Tarullo, Joanne and Michael Dzienkowski, and John and Arlene Bruen.

A viewing will be held from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. on March 21, at Vander Plaat Funeral Home, 257 Godwin Ave., Wyckoff, N.J., 07481. Services at the funeral home will be at 9:30 a.m. March 22, followed by burial services at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus, NJ.  

Contributions may be made to Mill Neck Manor School for the Deaf, 40 Frost Mill Road, Mill Neck, N.Y., 11765 or The Closter Animal Welfare Society (CLAWS), P.O. Box 172, Closter, N.J., 07624.