Eric W. Halbig, 97, of Manchester, peacefully passed away Sept. 7, 2021, at his home. Eric was born July 30, 1924, in Karlstadt, Germany, a son of the late Elizabeth and Angelus Halbig. Eric and his family emigrated to America in 1936 and lived in the Bronx. Eric worked small jobs to help his family.
In 1943 he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force and served with their intelligence unit in Italy during World War II. Upon returning, Eric was able to attend and graduate from New York University. Eric worked at B. Altman’s department store in New York City for 25 years where he started in sales in the men’s department. He then moved to jewelry where he became an assistant buyer and retired as the head buyer. After leaving B. Altman’s, Eric started a wholesale jewelry business with his partner John McGrath. They specialized in sterling silver and successfully ran their business until retirement in 1997. Upon retiring, they moved to Oakhurst for nearly 20 years and settled in Manchester six years ago.
Eric lived in New York City most of his life. He enjoyed the theater and joined a theatrical group which was started by Margaret Perry. They traveled doing plays. One of their regular stops was a famous theater in Abington, Virginia. Eric got started in theater by studying Shakespeare. A drama teacher said that learning the English language through Shakespeare would help him drop his German accent. It also led to his love of theater and acting. Eric was even fortunate enough to have been cast in a movie. He acted alongside Ernest Borgnine in the movie Marty.
Eric is survived by his dear friend John McGrath, several nieces, nephews and close friends.
A Latin Requiem Mass was celebrated Sept. 13 at St. Catherine’s Church, Middletown. A private cremation followed and Eric’s ashes will be interred at St. Catharine’s Cemetery in Sea Girt.
The article originally appeared in the September 16 – 22, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
