Barrie Werfel
Active Kiwanis Club officer and advisor to high school Key Clubs
Barrie Werfel was born on April 24, 1946, in Nova Scotia and came to New Jersey at the age of three months when he was adopted by Jack and Jeannette Werfel. He followed in his parents' footsteps and volunteered in the community both locally and worldwide through Kiwanis.
At 19, Barrie started the first little league football team in Roseland, N.J., and coached for 25 years and was one of the founders of the West Essex Football League.
He graduated in 1964, from St Paul's Episcopal Prep School in Garden City, L.I., attended Hofstra University where he became a member of the Pershing Rifles Military Fraternity. Barrie transferred to Fairleigh Dickinson and received his associate's degree.
Barrie and Celeste were married on July 3, 1968, and lived in Roseland for 42 years where they raised their three children, Larry (wife, Carol), Katy (husband, Michael Boettinger) and Michael (wife, Iryna) before moving to Rockaway, N.J. They now have five grandchildren, Taylor Werfel, Paul Werfel, Bobbie Boettinger, Matthew Werfel and Dylan Guttman.
Barrie started his career working in the family business at Hercules Seating Co. in NYC and Colonial Office Furniture Company in Newark, N.J. Barrie and his wife, Celeste opened Barrie's Place in Roseland Center in 1976. He later worked for Burger King franchises for many years before becoming a limousine driver for several companies as well as driving residents in his community.
Barrie served on Roseland's Board of Adjustment and served as the chairman of the Roseland Centennial committee, orchestrating several townwide events and a parade. He also assisted with the celebration of the Roseland Volunteer Fire Department's Centennial celebration.
Barrie extended his volunteerism as an extremely active member of Kiwanis in the West Essex Area. He became active as an advisor to the West Essex High School Key Club and became a member of the Kiwanis Committee on Key Club. In 1996, he became governor of the N.J. District of Kiwanis and in 1998, assumed his most favorite position in Kiwanis as the Key Club district administrator.
Through Key Club he has made an impact on the lives of hundreds, probably thousands, of high school students, many of whom continue to volunteer and provide service throughout the world.
Barrie passed away on Sept. 19, 2019, with his wife, Celeste and daughter, Katy by his side.
Donations may be made in Barrie's honor to the N.J. Kiwanis Foundation, Summit N.J.
A chapel service will take place on Sunday, Sept. 22 at Menorah Chapels at Millburn, 2950 Vauxhall Rd., Union (Vauxhall), N.J. Interment will follow at Beth Israel Cemetery, Woodbridge, N.J.