Bill Brewster

RETIRED CLOSTER POLICE CHIEF WILLIAM (BILL) BREWSTER died on December 10, 2020 after turning the age of 88 years old in October. Bill was born and lived in Closter all of his life. He attended Tenakill School, Closter High School and East Stroudsburg State Teachers College. Bill married his high school sweetheart, Ann, and built a home in Closter.

Bill dedicated much of his life to public service. He was drafted into the US Army during the Korean Conflict. He served as an MP and adjutant to the 101st US Air Force Commander of the Austrian base. After completing his service, he returned to his hometown of Closter and joined the Closter Police Department and Closter Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Bill rose through the ranks quickly and became Chief of the Closter Ambulance Corps, and helped in the planning and building of the Ambulance Corps building. Bill became Chief of Police in 1986. He was inducted into the NJ State Police Honor Society three times; for delivering a baby, saving a 3-year-old boy trapped under a garage door and helping to save the life of a boy injured after running through a glass door. Bill was also the adjutant and treasurer of the American Legion Leroy S. Mead Post 111 of Closter.

He was preceded in death by his only brother Allen Brewster and his nephew Jeffery Brewster. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years Ann (Gabriel), his daughter Dianne DeSimone (Joseph) of Galloway and his son Kenneth of Ramsey, his grandson Michael DeSimone of Hoboken and his granddaughter Christina Zompa (Trevor) of Mays Landing, his sister-in-law Doris Brewster and his grand niece and nephew Amanda and Kevin Brewster of Cranford, NJ.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to your favorite charity in his name. Funeral arrangements have been made through Becker Funeral Home. There will be a burial service at George Washington Memorial Park Cemetery at 1:30 PM on Tuesday, December 15, 2020. A celebration of Bill’s life will be held on a date to be determined in the coming year.