Garry M. Allers, 82, of Fair Haven, passed away peacefully at his home Dec. 5, 2024. Born July 9, 1942, he was a lifelong resident of Fair Haven, where he will be deeply missed by his many friends and neighbors.
Before dedicating his career to public service with the Borough of Fair Haven’s Department of Public Works, Garry and his beloved wife Jeanette enjoyed a fulfilling career in the food service industry. They worked at several well-known Monmouth County restaurants, including Charlie Brown’s, What’s Your Beef, and Lock Stock and Barrel. Garry often shared fond memories of their time in service, including their travels to Las Vegas to work in casinos and their memorable trip to the famous Brown Derby in California to learn the secrets of their renowned blue cheese dressing. Both Garry and Jeanette were dedicated to their work and took great pride in their profession.
A proud veteran of the U.S. Army, Garry served in the 101st Airborne Division during the Vietnam War. Later in life, Garry worked as a dedicated and respected employee for the Borough of Fair Haven’s Department of Public Works for 19 years. He was especially proud of his work on the athletic fields, noting the fields were “pristine” when he worked on them. He always went above and beyond to make sure they were perfect for the kids of Fair Haven.
Garry was also an active and valued member of the Fair Haven community. He proudly served as a member of the Fair Haven Fire Department for 31 years, achieving the rank of captain of the Fire Police and serving as past president of the Auxiliary. He also found joy in nature as a member of the Fair Haven Garden Club. Garry and Jeanette worked tirelessly to create beautiful gardens at their home, full of ornamental trees and flowers all year long.
Well known for his kindness, generosity and friendly demeanor, Garry was a beloved figure in Fair Haven. He always had a smile and a helping hand for those in need, readily sharing his tools and expertise with his neighbors. His love for the community was evident in his support of Fair Haven businesses and he was a regular fixture at the Acme in town. Garry was especially fond of Halloween when he enjoyed the children’s costumes and shared generous portions of full-sized candy bars.
Garry was a gifted storyteller, captivating those around him with tales of his service in the Army, his beloved dogs, his pride in his work at DPW, his adventures in the food service industry, and the enduring love he shared with his wife Jeanette, who predeceased him in 2019.
Garry is survived by his beloved niece Amanda Lynn; Jeanette’s siblings, Elsie, Barbara and Chris; his treasured cat Dusty; and numerous friends and neighbors.
Memorial visitation and a service were held Dec. 18 at Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank.
The article originally appeared in the December 12 – 18, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
