Obituary of Walter J Gough

North Plainfield; Walter J. Gough, 87, of North Plainfield, NJ died peacefully Saturday, December 28, 2013 at his home, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Jersey City, one of ten children, he cherished his summers in Point Pleasant. He was a proud graduate of Lincoln High School. He went on to serve in the Navy during World War II and subsequently attended Panzer College (now Montclair State) on the GI Bill. He became his Panzer class president and graduated in 1950. He met his wife, Marcella (nee Solomon), in 1954 while working as a Sales Executive for AR Meeker Co. where he worked for 27 years. Following his departure from Meeker he worked as a Financial Advisor for Merrill Lynch for 16 years until his retirement in 1996. He enjoyed family, sports, the shore, music, and was an active member of Saint Joseph's Catholic Church in North Plainfield , serving as CCD instructor and usher for many years. During his retirement he volunteered as a tutor for local ESL program. He was predeceased by his parents, Eugene and Eleanor (nee Connor); his sisters, Catherine McClave and Virginia Clark and his brothers Eugene, James, William and Frank. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Marcella; his son Michael (Cindy) of Red Bank, daughter carol Hatch (Warren) of Malvern, PA son Robert (Caroline) of San Diego, CA son Joseph (Becca) of North Plainfield, and son David (Lydia) of Herndon, VA; six grandchildren Sean, Veronica, Sienna, Colin, Ian and Jillian two sisters Eleanor Gough of Point Pleasant Beach, Joan Murphy of Spring Lake Heights; one brother George of Vienna VA and his cherished nieces, nephews, in-laws and friends. Relatives and friends are invited to call from 2-6 pm on Wednesday January 1, 2014 at Higgins Home for Funerals 752 Mountain Blvd. Watchung NJ. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Thursday January 2, 2014 at St. Joseph's RC Church on the corner of Watchung and Jackson Ave. in North Plainfield. The interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Scotch Plains NJ. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org or Saint Joseph Church at 99 Westervelt Ave. North Plainfield NJ 07060.