Oswald Georg Mechsner

Friedrich Oswald Georg (Ossie) Mechsner passed away on December 17, 2014 in Kissimmee, Florida at the age of 77. Born in Frankfurt, Germany, and raised in Bad Soden, Germany, Ossie immigrated to Canada in 1955, and to the United States in 1964 – proudly becoming a naturalized U.S. Citizen. He was a former long-time resident of Toms River, NJ and a current resident of Bridgewater, NJ and Poinciana, FL.

A devoted family man, husband, and father, Ossie is survived by his wife of 56 years, Olive J. (nee Champion); his brother, Fred Mechsner of British Columbia, Canada; his sister, Joan Mechsner Rockwell of Ontario, Canada; half-brother Gerald Mechsner of Germany, his son, Ronald; daughter-in-law Catherine; daughter Melinda; son-in-law Thomas Coppa; and four grandchildren, Timothy Coppa, Amanda Coppa, Sabrina Coppa, and Sarah Mechsner. Also surviving Ossie are cousins, nieces, and nephews in the US, Canada, and Germany.

Ossie earned a B.S. degree in Chemistry with Honors in 1964 from Ryerson Institute of Technology, Toronto, Canada, and a MBA from Rutgers University, New Jersey in 1969. His professional career included working in Heavy Industry, the Petroleum and Chemical industries in addition to Executive level experience in Finance, Insurance, and Investments.

Ossie was very active in Civic, Professional, and Religious organizations. He was a member of the Chemical Institute of Canada and the Financial Executive Institute. He served as a member of the Simsbury, CT Lions Club and as a Past President of the Plainfield, NJ Lions Club. He was a Vestry Member of Grace Episcopal Church, Plainfield, NJ and Christ Episcopal Church, Avon, CT. Ossie was an active member of the British Isles Club of Solivita, Poinciana, FL. Following his strong interest in politics, Ossie was also an active member of the Republican Club of Solivita, Poinciana, FL.

Ossie authored three patent applications while he was with the Dow Chemical Company. He also published three novels under the pen name – Friedrich O. Georg. As a writer, he applied elements of his practical experience with a gift of story telling – where facts are often more funny or more disturbing than just fiction.

His joy of life, his love, support, and guidance to his family and friends, will be greatly missed.

A memorial service to honor Ossie will be held on January 9, 2015 at the Grissom Funeral Home, Kissimmee, FL. A memorial service will also be held in New Jersey and will be scheduled for later in 2015.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations in Ossie’s name may be made to the American Heart Association.

Arrangements under the direction of Grissom Funeral Home and Crematory, Kissimmee, FL.