William Patrick Lang Jr. was born May 12, 1935 in Long Branch to William and Elizabeth Lang.
Bill grew up in Fair Haven and graduated from St. James Catholic High School in 1954. Bill married Barbara Gettis in 1959; they raised their family in Fair Haven and retired to Vero Beach, Florida.
Bill was a dedicated volunteer throughout his life and gave back to his community. He was a life member of the Fair Haven Fire Company, where he served for over 59 years. Bill was a two-time fire department chief in 1968 and 1974. During his time with the fire company, Bill was the first aid captain in 1972 and president of the first aid department and one of the founding members of the scuba diving team which received their New Jersey Council of Divers Certification early in 1963. During that time he helped start the Monmouth County First Aid 16th district. He also managed the Fair Haven Pirates baseball team and the Church of the Nativity’s girl basketball team. Bill was the past president of the Rumson-Fair Haven High School Booster Club and Fair Haven Democratic Club. Bill prepared meals for 10 years for the Knollwood School stokes trip. That was not the only place where his culinary skills were used; he also cooked at the firehouse meals, pancake breakfasts, prepping food for the Fireman’s Fair and the annual January open house with his famous chili! Bill also served on the Fair Haven election board.
And Bill had family time, too. The Langs went camping with the Van Develdes and other families, and had Sunday dinners at the beach with the Butlers. Bill also enjoyed ice boating and drag racing at Maple Grove.
Bill retired from Esso Gas Company in Linden and retired as the fire inspector of Fair Haven Borough.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William and Elizabeth Lang, sister Catherine Pfaff and precious son Jeffrey Lang. He is survived by his beloved wife Barbara of 61 years; two sons, Scott Lang of Woburn, Massachusetts and Douglas Lang of Fair Haven; and daughter Janet Senft and husband Michael of Spring Grove, Pennsylvania. Bill also leaves behind seven grandchildren, Brandon and Meaghan Lang, Tiffany Avis and her husband Adam, Phillip LaRose, Nekoda, Elijah and Isaiah Fleming; along with four great-grandchildren; nieces Anne Pfaff and Maureen Delehoy and nephew Eugene Pfaff. He was loved and will be missed greatly by those he left behind.
The family would like to thank everyone for the kind wishes and sympathy. They truly appreciate all the wonderful people they have been privileged to know and reconnect with throughout this difficult time.
Due to the changes in the state of New Jersey COVID requirements, Bill’s family has sadly decided to postpone his celebration of life and fireman’s services. They hope to be able to celebrate Bill’s life next year when the pandemic subsides and it is safe for everyone to get together.
Thompson Memorial Home of Red Bank has been entrusted with the arrangements.
The article originally appeared in the January 14 – 20, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
