Obituary of Bernard Dreier

Edison: Bernard Dreier, 90, the former proprietor of Dreiers Sporting Goods Store in the Blue Star Shopping Mall in Watchung, died Friday, July 11, 2003 at Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center in Plainfield. Born in Plainfield, he resided in North Plainfield before moving to Edison 10 years ago. From 1952 until his retirement in 1998, Mr. Dreier owned and managed Dreiers Sporting Goods Store in Watchung. Established by his family in 1868, it was the oldest continuously run sporting goods store in the country, as quoted in articles appearing in Sports Illustrated, the New York Times, Star Ledger and Courier News. Mr. Dreier loved his sporting goods store as well as watching softball and football, which he played in his younger days. He bowled in several leagues in North Plainfield from the age of 40 until his late 70s. He took great pride in his membership in the Flying Arrows of North Plainfield, a sports club comprised of childhood friends from the 1930s. He was a prominent civic person who was honored on several occasions by the borough of North Plainfield and other neighboring towns. He served as the Grand Marshall of the 4th of July parade in North Plainfield and was inducted into the North Plainfield High School Alumni Hall of Fame. In addition, he was honored by several police departments and was awarded the Silver Life Membership in the State P.B.A. He was Man of the Year for the Optimist Club in Watchung. A philanthropist, Mr. Dreier would quietly contribute to the welfare and education of needy children. He never felt or believed that his generosity deserved acknowledgement in any manner. This was his mitzvah or kind act. He was so loved that the community of North Plainfield, his friendly area competitors and their employees all paid tribute to him in a surprise Community Testimonial Dinner. As quiet and unassuming as he was, it seemed he was acknowledged publicly wherever he went. He served in the Army during WW II in the European Theatre. His brothers Henry M., Augustus S., Samuel and Theodore Dreier predeceased him. Surviving are his dear companion Dolly Di Censo, Jane D. Feldman, William A. Dreier, Adrienne D. Schlossberg, Peter Dreier and Harry Dreier, their children and grandchildren. Funeral Services will be held on Sunday at 2:00 pm at the Higgins Home for Funerals, 209 West Eighth Street, Plainfield with Rabbi Joel Abraham officiating. Interment will follow at Hebrew Cemetery in So. Plainfield.