Harry J. Sandlaufer, 96 of Short Hills and decorated Marine Corps WWII veteran, passed away Wednesday while on vacation. He was a devoted family man to his wife of 60 plus years, the late Elaine Newman Sandlaufer, his daughter, Robin Sandlaufer Ewert and his son, the late Douglas Sandlaufer.
Harry, born and raised in Jersey City, owned and operated Municipal Oil for over 60 years. He was a 3-sport letterman at Panzer College and, after graduation, joined the USMC to fight in WWII. He was awarded the Bronze Star of Valor for heroics at the Battle of Okinawa, in the conflict known as “Sugarloaf Hill.” He left the Marine Corps with the rank of Major. He was an active member of the Jewish War Veterans of Livingston, the JCC of West Orange, and the Sixth Marine Division association. Harry was a world-traveler, an avid reader and true bon vivant. His favorite saying was: “Just keep moving. It’s hard to hit a moving target.”
Harry is survived by his sisters, Marian Baron and Shirley Cuttler-Michaelson; his daughter and son-in-law Robin and Terry Ewert; his grandchildren: Kyle Barron-Ewert, (Jenna Barron-Ewert), Becky Ewert and her fiancé Josh Wolkoff, and Sarah Sandlaufer; and his great grandson, Scout Barron-Ewert; plus a multitude of extended family and friends.
A funeral will be held at 11:45 am, Monday, April 2, at Bernheim Apter Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel, 68 Old Short Hills Rd., Livingston. Donations in his memory may be made to Temple Beth El, 2419 Kennedy Blvd, Jersey City, NJ 07304.
