William (Bill) Paul Gnirrep

William (Bill) Paul Gnirrep passed away peacefully on April 10, 2018, at home after a long battle with multiple myeloma.  He was 76 years old.

He was diagnosed with cancer in 2012, but he never let that define who he was. Bill lived each day doing what he wanted, living each day to the fullest.

He was born on September 23rd, 1941 in Union City, New Jersey to the late Jac and Mary (nee Kupp) Gnirrep.  He grew up in Palisades Park NJ, with his brothers Jac and Tom and graduated from Leonia High School in 1959.  He received his Bachelor’s degree and MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

He worked at several different companies throughout his career as an accountant, controller, and financial officer.  He retired from G&W Labs in South Plainfield in 2010.

On October 6, 1962 he married Greta Lauer. They were married for 38 years, until her death in 2001.  They had two children, Jennifer and William.  The family lived in River Edge, NJ for almost 30 years before Bill and Greta moved to Somerset, NJ in 1998.

In 2007, bill married Lan Phan and they built a home together in Somerset, NJ.  With his love to travel, they visited the Far East: Vietnam, Thailand, and Macau.  In China, they took an expedition to view a solar eclipse.

Bill’s great passion was astronomy.  He spent many cold nights outside with one of his hand-built telescopes, observing the stars.  His love for astronomy took him all over the world.  He attended many Stellaphane astronomy conventions in Springfield, Vermont.  He traveled to observe solar eclipses in Tobago and Australia and the Transit of Venus in Egypt.

Bill was a big aficionado of  Doo-Wop music and loved doing crossword puzzles and watching Jeopardy. A long time avid NY Giants football fan, his favorite pastime was watching the team on television.  Every game he could be found in his favorite chair cheering the Giants on whether they won or lost.  He was quiet, caring, practical, and had a sharp sense of humor.

He was predeceased by his parents, Jac and Mary Gnirrep; his first wife Greta and brother Tom. Bill leaves behind his wife, Lan; daughter, Jennifer Thompson and her husband, Kevin; his son, William; his grandchildren, Rebecca, David and Abigail Thompson; his brother Jac; several nieces and nephews and his extended Phan side of the family.

He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Viewing Friday April 13, 2018 from 6:00PM to 8:00PM at the Gosselin Funeral Home 660 New Dover Road Edison. Funeral Saturday April 14,2018 from 10:00AM to 12 Noon followed by a Blessing. Cremation Private.

In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his loving memory to:

International Dark-Sky Association, 3223 N. First Ave, Tuscon, AZ85719

The Salvation Army, 615 Slaters Lane, P.O. Box 269, Alexandria, VA 22313

Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, 200 S. Park Road, Suite 100, Hollywood, FL33021.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William (Bill) Paul Gnirrep, please visit our floral store.