Obituary for Edward M. "Ed" Bien
Edward M. Bien, 98 of Fairway Mews, Spring Lake Heights, and former Mayor of New Providence passed away Monday, June 24, 2019 at Manor by the Sea, Ocean Grove.
Born in Newark, Edward had resided in Irvington before moving to New Providence in 1954 and then to Fairway Mews, Spring Lake Heights in 2000.
He was a Master Sergeant with the United States Marine Corps, which was accomplished in just 13 months, serving from 1942 – 1945 and during the invasion of Okinawa. He had received his BA and MA in Finance from Rutgers University, Newark over the course of 10 years of night school.
He had been employed as a Manager for RCA, Harrison, NJ and became the financial advisor to the inventor of the color picture tube.
Ed was a member of the Board of Education and later a Councilman for New Providence before being elected Mayor in 1966 until 1978. He then became the borough administrator from 1978 until retiring in 1996. He held the position of President of the NJ League of Municipalities in 1977. He was a member of Our Lady of Peace Parish, New Providence and their parish council.
When Ed retired to Fairway Mews in 2000, he was very active in his community, serving on the executive and association boards. He was also a faithful communicant of St. Catharine Parish and a member of their parish council. He was also a member of the Spring Lake/Brielle Rotary Club.
Ed’s passions were politics and sports, and he loved discussing them. He also enjoyed his time in Rotary, cherishing friendships made there and also at the Fairway Mews Condos.
Ed was predeceased by parents Joseph and Regina Freibott Bien, his 1st wife Ruth Brady Bien in 1998, his 2nd wife Marcella ( Sally ) Butler in 2013, his son Edward M. Jr. and his 7 siblings.
Surviving are his 2 daughters Barbara Henelt and husband Stanleigh of Lewisville, NC, Susan Bien of Lindenwold, NJ and his stepson James Butler and wife Linda of Wilmington, DE and 4 nephews.
Visitation will be on Sunday from 2:00pm to 4:00pm & 7:00pm to 9:00pm at the O’Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Hwy 35 at New Bedford Rd., Wall followed by a Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, July 1, 2019 at 10:30am at St. Catharine Church, 215 Essex Ave., Spring Lake. Interment in St. Teresa Cemetery, Summit. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to St. Benedict’s Prep, 520 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Newark, NJ 07102-1314 or Spring Lake/Brielle Rotary Foundation, Scholarship Fund in Memory of Edward, P.O. Box 458, Spring Lake, NJ 07762
For directions or to offer online condolences to the family please visit www.obrienfuneralhome.com
Born in Newark, Edward had resided in Irvington before moving to New Providence in 1954 and then to Fairway Mews, Spring Lake Heights in 2000.
He was a Master Sergeant with the United States Marine Corps, which was accomplished in just 13 months, serving from 1942 – 1945 and during the invasion of Okinawa. He had received his BA and MA in Finance from Rutgers University, Newark over the course of 10 years of night school.
He had been employed as a Manager for RCA, Harrison, NJ and became the financial advisor to the inventor of the color picture tube.
Ed was a member of the Board of Education and later a Councilman for New Providence before being elected Mayor in 1966 until 1978. He then became the borough administrator from 1978 until retiring in 1996. He held the position of President of the NJ League of Municipalities in 1977. He was a member of Our Lady of Peace Parish, New Providence and their parish council.
When Ed retired to Fairway Mews in 2000, he was very active in his community, serving on the executive and association boards. He was also a faithful communicant of St. Catharine Parish and a member of their parish council. He was also a member of the Spring Lake/Brielle Rotary Club.
Ed’s passions were politics and sports, and he loved discussing them. He also enjoyed his time in Rotary, cherishing friendships made there and also at the Fairway Mews Condos.
Ed was predeceased by parents Joseph and Regina Freibott Bien, his 1st wife Ruth Brady Bien in 1998, his 2nd wife Marcella ( Sally ) Butler in 2013, his son Edward M. Jr. and his 7 siblings.
Surviving are his 2 daughters Barbara Henelt and husband Stanleigh of Lewisville, NC, Susan Bien of Lindenwold, NJ and his stepson James Butler and wife Linda of Wilmington, DE and 4 nephews.
Visitation will be on Sunday from 2:00pm to 4:00pm & 7:00pm to 9:00pm at the O’Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Hwy 35 at New Bedford Rd., Wall followed by a Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, July 1, 2019 at 10:30am at St. Catharine Church, 215 Essex Ave., Spring Lake. Interment in St. Teresa Cemetery, Summit. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to St. Benedict’s Prep, 520 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Newark, NJ 07102-1314 or Spring Lake/Brielle Rotary Foundation, Scholarship Fund in Memory of Edward, P.O. Box 458, Spring Lake, NJ 07762
For directions or to offer online condolences to the family please visit www.obrienfuneralhome.com