Obituary of Paul H. Goerz

Paul Hubertus Goerz, 73, of Basking Ridge died February 11 with his family by his side. Paul was born September 13, 1938 in Berlin, Germany to the late Christian Paul Goerz and Lili (Koerner) Goerz. His father was president of C. P. Goerz American Optical, the family-owned optical/photographic lens company. Paul emigrated to Long Island, NY in 1955. He served in the US Air Force during the Vietnam War. He graduated from the Essex County Police Academy and for thirty-one years served as a police officer in Livingston, New Jersey where he was lovingly known as the "Colonel". As a passionate motorcyclist, he served on the motorcycle patrol and was a proud member of the Blue Knights and Polar Bear motorcycle clubs. He was also an enthusiastic member of the Central Jersey Volkswagen Society where he showed his 1974 vintage Beetle. Paul is survived by his sisters Lili G. Rowen of Marblehead, MA and Christiane G. Dueren of Berlin, Germany. He leaves his daughter Catherine Lili Suzanne Goerz; two sons Matthew Paul Goerz and Christopher Paul Goerz; and one granddaughter, Alyssa Goerz. Paul was preceded in death by his sister Gisela Leefe. Friends and family are invited to visit at the Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home, 101 South Finley Avenue in Basking Ridge, New Jersey on Thursday, February 16 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm. The funeral service will be on Friday at 10am at the funeral home. A private memorial service will held at the Somerset Hills Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Paul's name to the American Cancer Society, Somerset Unit, 600 First Ave, Raritan, NJ 08869. For further information please contact the funeral home at (908)766-0250 or visit www.gcfuneralhome.com