Henry "Hank" Width

Henry T. Width, Age 102 – Stafford Twp. N.J.

Henry (Hank) Width peacefully passed on October 29 at home, surrounded by family, to join his beloved wife Laura, and his precious Lord and Savior.

Born in Bergen, Norway, he journeyed at the age of 4 with his Mother Jenny, and his two siblings, (at that time), his “big brother” Reidar Patrick who had his 6th birthday while on passage aboard the ship Bergensfjord, and his sister Sonja Gunvor who was 3. The family passed by Lady Liberty as they were to depart from their ship to Ellis Island on February 13, 1924 to join their father Nils August (Gus) Width who had arrived earlier on September 24, 1923 on the ship Leviathan to prepare for their arrival. He met the love of his life while working, traveling around the country in 1945 in Kentucky, and married 3 months later. A devotion of love of 70 years before his wife, Laura E. Burd Width (Gene) his precious “Jewel” (Julie) pre-deceased him in 2015. Dad lived most of his life in New Jersey – Berkeley Heights and New Providence to name a few. He was a student at Rutgers, remaining a loyal Rutgers football fan. He and his bride settled in Westfield before moving to Long Beach Island around 1952. Henry was a builder as his early profession on LBI. He and his Dad worked for the Shapiro family for a time, then on to his own business as a well-known carpenter on the Island, eventually becoming Building Inspector. He was a Councilman in Ship Bottom for many years, and served as temporary Police Commissioner for a period of time. Hank, Gene, Pat and Ruth Width acquired the Viking Motel located in Ship Bottom from their parents, Jenny and August Width in the early 60’s, where Hank and Gene were the operators until the motel was sold around 1985. They enjoyed their golden years in Stafford Township after leaving the Island for the Mainland around 1986.

A devout Christian waiting for the Lord to take him home to be reunited with his beautiful wife and family, Dad was devoted to, and loved his daily time with the Lord reading his Bible and time in prayer. He is survived by two sons, Darrol Ross (and Lynnie) David Width (and Karen), two daughters Sandra Christopher, and Sharon Fulton (and James). He is predeceased by his parents, Nils A. and Jenny O. (Nilsen) Width, and siblings “big brother” Reidar Patrick Width of Westfield, two sisters Joy Kalmakoff and Sonja Gunvor Quinn, both of Florida, and survived by his “baby sister” Doloris (Ellie) Conners of Florida, as well as 12 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren, and many loving nieces and nephews.

A beautiful quote from Dad: ““Earths Sunset is Heavens Sunrise”” …something he truly believed with all his heart.

His favorite Bible verse: Psalm 30:15

“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning”.

In lieu of flowers, if you would like to make a donation in Henry’s name to: Harvey Cedars Bible Conference – 12 Cedars Avenue – Harvey Cedars N.J. 08008

Or

Americas Keswick Addiction Recovery Center – 601 County Road 530 Suite A – Whiting, N.J. 08759

Visiting hours will be Friday, November 5 from 12:00pm until his funeral service, 1:30pm at Maxwell-Tobie Funeral Home, 573 Mill Creek Road, Manahawkin, NJ. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery - Route 9 south - Cedar Run, NJ.