Eugene J. Blank

Eugene “Gene” Blank, age 81 of Toms River died Sunday March 17th at Community Medical Center, Toms River. Born in the Ironbound section of Newark, he lived there and then moved to Nutley, where he resided for 34 years before moving to Holiday City at Berkeley in 1999. He was a truck driver and Teamster with local 478 and 560 for Skellys Express, Branch Motors and Smith Transfer for 44 years before retiring in 1996. He served with the United States Marine Corps from 1948-1951. He was a second baseman for the Newark Tigers baseball team in the Tri-City League that won the championship in 1948. His teammate and best friend for over 60 years the Honorable James J. O’Connell of Toms River was a shortstop on that team. He was also a member of the Holiday City-Berkeley Irish American Club and the Variety and Drama Club. He was predeceased by his wife Jane in 2007 and his brother Richard this year. Surviving are two sons and daughters in law, Stephen and Cindy Blank of Point Pleasant and Paul and Meredith Blank of Nutley, his daughter and son in law, Lori and Michael Torrese of Holmdel, eight grandchildren Brianna, Danielle, Anna, Paul, Michelle, Brett, Janie and Thomas and his brother Donald of Hatfield Twp., PA. Visiting will be Wednesday from 5-9 pm at the Quinn Hopping Funeral Home 26 Mule Rd. Toms River. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered 10:30 am Thursday at St. Maximilian Kolbe R. C. Church, Berkeley Twp. Cremation will be private.