On Friday Sept 19, 2025 at 5.49pm, our dad took his final breath on this earth. He was surrounded by his most important legacy. His wife, sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren. Everyone had the opportunity to say goodbye, and he passed holding our mother’s hand and listening to his beloved German Polka music.

Pop came to the US from Germany in 1958 as an 18-yr old with not much more than the change in his pocket. Not to long after, he met the future Mrs Koenig, who had come from the Dominican Republic. I wish that video recording had been more prevalent back then, because to this day, none of us has been able to figure out how in the world they ever communicated with each other. I’m not sure they had it figured out even after 64 years of marriage.

Dad was drafted in 1961, so Mom and Dad decided to get married so she could go down to South Carolina with him where he served in the US Army. Nine months later, son #1 was born and together they started the Koenig family. After his military service, they moved back to NJ where they would spend the next 62 years of their life raising their 3 sons and building a life together.

If you had to describe Dad in one word, I think the most fitting would be authentic. He was one of a kind and that is what ultimately made him special. The earliest version of Dad had a thick exterior shell and lots of sharp edges. He was hardworking, straightforward, had a short temper, and not much of a filter. Like a lot of Dads in the day, my younger brothers and I were not raised with a lot of warm and fuzzy. Dad wasn’t mean, we just knew when we stepped over the line we were in trouble. Most of our childhood friends and cousins will laughingly tell you that they were afraid of him when they were younger. He just had that aura. Today, every one of them will tell you that they grew to love him.

I like to think I put the first crack in that tough exterior when I came home from college my freshman year on Christmas break. I caught him a little off guard when I gave him a hug and told him that I loved him. More cracks came and edges were rounded as he gained daughters -in law and grandchildren. I think God purposely gave him six granddaughters (along with his two grandsons) to really soften him up as he got older. Just to make sure that those rough edges were completely gone, he was later blessed with three great grandchildren. Of course, the girls once again outnumbered the boys two to one, just to make sure that his heart was completely melted.

Our dad would watch pretty much any sport. He is a lifelong, diehard Jets, Mets, Rangers and Celtics fan. (Not sure how the Celtics managed to squeeze in there). He especially loved watching and supporting his sons, grandsons and granddaughters in all their athletic endeavors. He made it too as many games and events as possible. Although he was passionate, he was not the loudest fan, (except if he had a disagreement with the umpire, that filter did not exist. Just ask my youngest brother.)

Dad could dance up a storm with my mom and they were well known for hitting the dance floor. They especially seemed to shine the most whenever Dad wore those white pants and shoes. We have proof in both video and pictures! They took great pride in their home and spent countless hours tending to the flowers and shrubs outside. If you lived in RP, you knew that 124 Main St had the best-looking lawn in town. It was one of Dads passions. We did appreciate that beautiful carpet of grass even though we were never allowed to actually play on it for fear of creating a brown patch!

A testament to my parents is the network of family and friends that they made and the many fond memories that they share with them. From every stage of their life, going all the way back to the early years when they first met in North Bergen and continuing to as they moved from Palisades Park to Ridgefield Park and eventually Hackensack, they’ve made lasting friendships with neighbors, coworkers, town pool folks, fellow Choir singers and pretty much anyone else they met along the way. Everyone was able to see and appreciate the man that was beneath that exterior shell with those sharp edges.

I’m not sure Dad ever really had a long-range plan or goal in life; he just took it one step at a time and did the very best he could each day. There is so much more to the story, and it would be impossible to put it all down on paper unless I wrote a book. He lived a full life and leaves behind a legacy that he can be extremely proud of.

Dad, (and Mom) raised 3 proud sons who I believe represent the very best of him, and for that and much more, I will always be grateful. Until I see you again, I promise to continue that legacy and do my best every day.

Love ya Pop

Rest in Peace.

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