Myron K. Woller, World War II Vet, Dies At 98

Courtesy of Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapels

Myron K. Woller flew his last sortie into the wild blue yonder on Saturday, Sept. 8. He was 98.

He left behind his co-pilot of 69 years, June, daughter Joanne, sons Jeffrey, Richard and Alan along with their respective spouses, Bill, Jodi, Nancy and Terri and nine grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

Mike led an exemplary life for 98, years teaching his family, friends and colleagues the importance of love, personal responsibility, hard work and how to live a fulfilling life through quiet fortitude, common sense and leadership.

Born in Newark, to Max and Blanche Woller, Mike was a devoted husband, father, son and brother of Seymour, whom he adored. He had many nieces and nephews and lifelong personal and professional friends nurturing a life filled with lasting, loving relationships. Outdoorsman, athlete, traveler, avid reader, a great handyman and crossword puzzle solver, Mike Woller lived as full a life as possible.

Growing up during the Great Depression, Mike never lost his humility and concern for others, despite leaping from success to success in both his private and professional life. He cared deeply about those less fortunate than himself and politically supported those officials who thought like he did - a true dyed-in-the wool liberal to the very end. He was a strong advocate of environmental stewardship and supported those organizations that saw likewise, including Greenpeace.

Never a glory hound, Mike served his country with distinction as one of the "hot" pilots as noted by the Newark Star Ledger in an article from 1943, flying out of Duxford airbase in Cambridge, England during WWII. He was proud of his service, but reminded us that war was a dirty, ugly business that wrecked the lives of both the innocent and the enemy. He was always appreciative of how lucky he was to escape the fate many of his dearest friends from his youth did not.

Upon his retirement nearly 35 years ago from the "Port" (NY/NJ Port of Authority), Mike was manager of Newark Airport - a capstone for a lifelong love of aviation. Taking his children on helicopter rides from the roof of the "Port" building on 8th Avenue in NYC on Good Friday when he brought us to the office to see what "Daddy does" was a highlight of growing up and made us the envy of all of our friends. He was one of the first passengers to fly on the SST when it began service between London and NYC.

Mike Woller will forever be in our hearts.

A chapel service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018 at Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapels, Ocean. Interment will follow at Beth Israel Cemetery, Woodbridge.

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