Obituary of Harold E. Klumbach, Jr.
It is with great sadness our family shares the loss of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, brother-in-law, and friend, Harold “Harry” Klumbach, Jr. at the age of 87. He passed away peacefully at home on March 4, 2023. He was born on January 8th, 1936 on Staten Island, NY. Raised on Staten Island with his four siblings, he attended Curtis High School and then enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. After his service, he joined the New York City Fire Department. In 1965, New York City Mayor Wagner presented him the prestigious Albert S. John Medal for his heroic actions in saving the life of a man trapped by flames on the fifth floor windowsill of a burning building in Manhattan, NY. After leaving the Fire Department he spent his days focusing on his wife and family, along with his two other loves: carpentry and golf. In 1997, after raising six children on Staten Island, he and his wife Bernadette retired to Red Bank, NJ, and then relocated to The Villages in Howell, NJ in 2017.
He was an avid golfer and a member of the Fairway Golf Club in Staten Island, NY for over forty years. Spending time on the golf course with his wife, family and friends was the activity that brought him the most joy. He spent time volunteering with the Knights of Columbus and attended church regularly. He had an amazing memory and truly enjoyed crossword puzzles and watching his two favorite TV shows, Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Bernadette M. Klumbach; children, Kathy (Anthony) Lo Bue of Freehold, NJ; Mary Beth (Robert) Garnett of Staten Island, NY; Joseph (Mary) Klumbach of Spring Brook Township, PA; Bernadette (James) Boyatzies of Pittsford, NY; Harold (Kristine) Klumbach of Staten Island, NY; and John (Shasta) Klumbach of Las Vegas, NV; 12 grandchildren and one recently born great granddaughter; sister, Mary Lou (Richard) Curotto; brother, Donald (Angie) Klumbach; brother-in-law Donald Joergens and many loving nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Harold E. Sr. and Rose Klumbach, sister Rose and husband Norman Duval and sister, Ginger Joergens.
A memorial mass will be held at the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine on Saturday, May 27, 2023 at 12:00 PM. Inurnment will take place in Brigadier General William C. Doyle New Jersey Veteran Cemetery, 350 Province Line Road, Arneytown.
All arrangements are under the direction of the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, Freehold Township. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Staten Island Council for Animal Welfare, P.O. Box 120125, Staten Island, NY 10312-0125. For information, to check for future arrangements, or to leave condolence messages to the family, please visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com
Memorial Mass
