Louis Bader

Beloved father of Alan (of Pilesgrove) and Jack (of St. Louis), dear grandfather of Benjamin (of San Francisco) and Abigail (of Denver), father-in-law of Anne Bader, uncle of Sharon Biermann (of Blue Bell) and Marcia Budowsky (of Mt. Laurel) and friend to many. Preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Blanche; sisters, Jean Bader, Bella Budowsky and Rachel Bader; brothers, Bill Bader, Hymie Bader and parents Mary and Jacob Bader…and Coco, his ornery poodle.

Lou was a true renaissance man who bootstrapped his way from immigrant poverty to become one of Pilesgrove / Woodstown’s N.J. most successful and trend-setting businessmen. Partnered with his wife, Blanche, his business career included longshoreman, worker on the Manhattan Project, landowner, bar owner, a developer and homebuilder as well as affordable housing developer in Pilesgrove, Ventnor and Atlantic City, a dairy farm owner, poultry plant operator, Atlantic City jitney owner/operator/driver, a used car dealer, plumbing supplier, and a gas station owner.

He was a driving force to create and develop one of Salem County’s first mixed-use developments by attracting the first large, commercial supermarket chain, Acme Markets, and the first major drug store chain, Eckerd Pharmacy, and to the delight of the area’s children, ultimately the first McDonald's, all of which enhanced the quality of life by providing residents with vitally needed services.

Lou was perhaps best known as the owner/operator of Park 'N Wash, the first coin-operated Laundromat in the Pilesgrove community and he pioneered the use of commercial water softening equipment to provide quality water to his customers. For 43 years Park ‘N Wash served as a social and commercial center for the surrounding neighborhoods.

His ability to innovate continued with the development of Soft-Spra, one of the first coin-operated self-service car washes on the East Coast, and the addition of the first drive through coin-operated car washing lane.

His expertise and innovation in the cleaning industry was recognized by an invitation to serve on the National Advisory Committee of the National Insurance Exchange, which he did for many years. His peers in the community sought him out for his straight-talking advice.

He was proud that he was able to mentor many of the area’s current leaders.

Lou rarely took “no” for an answer. He was used to negotiating, cajoling and sometimes fighting in order to get what he believed was right. While he didn’t always win, his visible successes are all over the Pilesgrove/Woodstown area.

His wife Blanche served not only as wife but also as the business manager, chief financial officer, problem solver and often the public face of the Bader enterprises.

The Baders retired in October 2006; at a retirement party, the mayors of Pilesgrove and Woodstown presented the Baders with proclamations honoring their 63 years of service and support to the local communities.

The Baders moved to St. Louis in May 2007 to be nearer to their family and grandchildren.

Lou was an active member in his synagogue, Oheb Shalom (Salem, NJ).

Services: Graveside services will be held 11:30AM on Friday, May 6, 2011 at the Crescent Memorial Park, 7349 Westfield Ave, Pennsauken, N.J. A memorial service is planned for St. Louis, date to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, donations can me made to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601-7633; http://www.alz.org/.