Florian Beiseigel - Obituary

lorian John “Sonny” Beiseigel, Jr., 94, a resident of Annapolis and previously of Rutherford, NJ, died peacefully in his sleep, August 23 at the Annapolitan Assisted Living. Born on December 14, 1918 in New Bedford, NJ, to the late Norma and Florian Beiseigel, Sr., Sonny was raised in Seaside Heights, NJ where he became a lifeguard on the Seaside Heights Beach Patrol at age 16 and continued serving the patrol part-time until the mid-1970s. Sonny graduated from Toms River High School in 1937, the Peddie School in Hightstown, NJ in 1938 and Springfield College in Springfield, MA in 1942. He was a member of the college’s wrestling team and won first place in his weight class in the New England State Championship. He served as a first lieutenant during World War II with the Army Air Corps’ 335th Depot Repair Sqaudron, 13th Air Depot Group stationed in Biak, New Guinea. Among his many service medals, Sonny received the Good Conduct, American Theatre Campaign, American Defense Service, Philippine Liberation and World War II Victory medals as well as the Asiatic Pacific Campaign medal with one bronze star. He was also authorized two overseas service bars. Sonny spent his career with the U.S. Public Health Service in New York City where he was the Director of the Physical Therapy Clinic. He was a member of the VFW and Old Guard of Rutherford as well as captain and past president of Rutherford’s First Aid Ambulance Corps. He also refereed New Jersey high school wrestling matches in the 1970s. Sonny was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Winifred K. “Winnie” Beiseigel, whom he married on Christmas Day 1942 and who died in 2004. He is survived by two daughters, Louise (Louis) Jahn of Annapolis with whom Sonny lived since 2004 and Marilyn Beiseigel of Seattle, WA. Funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rutherford First Aid Ambulance Corps, P.O. Box 217, Rutherford, NJ 07070 or the charity of your choice.