Obituary of Donald A Ehrgott

DONALD ARTHUR EHRGOTT Luckiest Man in the World Our Dad, Pops, and Pop Pop, Donald Arthur Ehrgott, left our family to join his “jewel” Ruby on January 13, 2020, at the ripe “young” age of 95. Don lived an AMAZING life! Born at home in Jersey City, NJ on December 6, 1924, his two older brothers reportedly told his Mom “take him away, take him away!” We are so glad she didn’t listen. Don’s parents were Emma Louise and Henry Ehrgott. Don was the “last man standing” of his four siblings, Murlin, Norman, Muriel and Howard. He grew up during the Depression years, worked in a butcher shop as a teenager (he was a Master Carver at family dinners!), and proudly served the USA in the Navy during WWII as a Storekeeper First Class from June 1943 to July 1946. He served on a destroyer in the Pacific Theater and was on his way to Japan when the war ended. Among other service awards, Don received the “Good Conduct Medal” – no surprise to us! After the end of the war, Don knew he wanted to attend college. He attended Pace Institute, now Pace University, on the GI Bill from 1946 to June 1950, where he wore a suit to class and received a BBA degree in accounting. He was very proud of the education he received at Pace. He worked in NYC at Chase Manhattan Bank as a Loan Review Officer from September 1950 through 1957, where he was known as the “Ferret,” a persistent searcher for financial facts. He read and analyzed annual reports of companies that had loans with Chase. Using skills learned on-the-job, Don became an avid and successful investor – he said you “couldn’t buy that experience.” On June 13, 1948, Don met his “jewel” Ruby – the truth is that Ruby went after his gorgeous blue eyes! They met at the Mad House in Lake Hopatcong, where Don was working as a waiter and Ruby’s family had a summer log cabin. Years later, when their initial five kids were creating a ruckus at home, Ruby yelled “this place is a Mad House!” – to which Don responded, “how prophetic.” Ruby and Don courted in a canoe on Lake Hopatcong; they christened the canoe the “Ruby Port.” Ruby lived in Queens, and she and Don often met “under the Macy’s clock” in NYC while dating. They made a list of places to visit, mostly in the NY/NJ area, having no idea that years later they would travel the world! They got engaged in December 1949, and were married on a hot October 1, 1950 at the old Club House in Lake Hopatcong, which friends and family decorated with colorful Fall leaves. Ruby’s satin wedding gown from B. Altman’s cost $6 and she paid $6 to have it altered. Ruby told Don she wanted 16 kids! From 1952 to 1961, she gave birth to five, 3 girls and 2 boys. They moved from Queens to Kenvil, then to their home in Succasunna, NJ, where Don lived for 57 years! Our family traveled frequently to nearby places, and in 1961 we all took a train across the country to Disneyland in Anaheim, CA. That was the beginning of a lifelong love of Disney – Don bought stock, and Ruby planned trips in later years to Disney World in Florida. Don left Chase to work at NJ Power & Light Co. in Denville from 1957 to 1966. In 1966, he joined a family outdoor power equipment business, Kenvil Power Mower, with Ruby’s brother, Steve Redan, where Don served as President until 1994. Over the years, they built it up to become KPM Distributors. Living only three miles from his business, Don often returned to work at night after helping his kids with their homework. Fast forward, most of the Ehrgott “kids” brought home spouses. Grandchildren arrived – 3 girls and 2 boys. Another granddaughter became a daughter when Ruby and Don adopted Aileen. Don was 58 and Ruby was 53 when they joyfully raised another child. They attended school plays, teacher conferences, and football games, which kept them young. Dad was Aileen’s “best” student when she would play teacher with him since he loved teaching and learning. Don and Ruby began traveling to countries in Europe and the Far East, made trips to Australia, New Zealand, and Bora Bora, and enjoyed cruising in the Caribbean, the Inside Passage of Alaska, and the Mediterranean. Don himself traveled to approximately 42 states and over 50 countries in his lifetime. Don LOVED traveling and generously passed this legacy along to his family. He and Ruby began taking their children, their spouses, and grandchildren on family trips to Lake George, NY, Wildwood Crest, NJ, and then on cruises in the Caribbean, to Mexico, and to Alaska. The grandchildren got spoiled, in a good way. In August 2005, Ruby sadly passed away. Don said “that was some jolt.” The family carried on – Don began taking his family away almost every year during Christmas week on more cruises and trips. On our last family trip in December 2017 to San Diego, CA, Don said “It’s fun to take the family on trips, to share the joy of visiting interesting places…” Don was an ardent Yankees fan, much to the dismay of his kind and loving caregiver, Bonnet Eubanks, who has lived with Don and his daughter Cheryl for almost 2 years. He stayed up till 2 am if the game went into extra innings! Don lived a full, interesting, exciting, and fabulous Life! He LIVED & loved every day! Don leaves his beloved family of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to carry on his legacy: daughter Cheryl Ehrgott; son Glenn Ehrgott and wife Claudia and their children and grandchildren, Kristin Ehrgott and husband Christopher Poreda and children Hudson, Colden & Stella; and Danielle Hilliker and husband Oliver, and their son Jaxon; daughter Wendy Pett and husband Bob and their son David Pett; daughter Jacqueline Ehrgott; son Wayne Ehrgott and wife Deborah, and their children, Nicole Haslett and husband Adam, and Donald Ehrgott; and daughter Aileen Barry and husband Scott, and their sons Dean and Owen. Please visit Tuttle Funeral Home's website for more information Tuttlefh.com. Visitation from 3PM – 7PM at Tuttle Funeral Home, Randolph, (Tuttlefh.com) on Friday, January 17, 2020 with a Celebration of Life starting at 7PM . Private Entombment at Locust Hill Mausoleum, Dover. PLEASE NO FLOWERS! Kindly donate to your favorite charity and/or please take someone you love out to lunch or dinner, listen to stories, and tell them you love them.