On April 2, 2021 Eugene Richard Tendler, 94, died peacefully in his bed at home surrounded by his wife Carol and three children, Michael, Jill and Andy, having lived a good, full and successful life by any measure. He created a solid family that gave him 6 grandchildren: Lawrence, and his wife Valerie, Mariel, Ben, Alex, Tori and Carly as well as Jill’s husband, David, and Michael’s wife, Francee.

He leaves behind his most important thing of value, his very good name and reputation as everyone’s idea of a “nice guy”, a class act, a gentleman and above all, a gentle man. Soft spoken and always even-keeled, about the worst profanity he could summon was to label someone a “dirty dog” or to refer to things one finds as less than believable as “baloney.” Tough talk.

He was born in Newark, NJ, on March 4, 1927 and attended Weequahic High School. He enlisted in the US Navy to serve his country during WWII and after his father’s untimely death he was honorably discharged. With a mother and sister to support, he went to work without a complaint at the same time he earned his doctor of optometry degree. Following in his father’s footsteps, he opened his own practice in Rahway, NJ where he was beloved and practiced for over 40 years.

He married Carol Oelbaum, the love of his life in 1957 and they were devoted to each other for over 63 years. They enjoyed raising their children in a typical suburban development that produced extraordinary lifelong friendships between neighbors who became family to one another. There were shared vacations and backyard barbeques, shared goals, a community of reliable friends to be leaned on during hard times. Those friends remain today.

Gene gave back to his community. He was a president of Temple Beth’Or/Beth Torah from 1969-71 and an active supporter throughout his life. He volunteered his time and attention to good causes, gave to charity and was always ready to listen and offer support to others without passing judgment.

He expanded his horizons and education well beyond Newark, NJ, a self-made man who shared his interest in art, museums, history, theater, opera and music with his entire family. Later in life he took up painting and enjoyed a life in Florida with his wife and family who visited often. While always remaining modest and low-key his one indulgence and point of pride was being a sharp dressed man, filling a closet full of monogrammed shirts, silk ties and elegant double-breasted suits over a lifetime! By far though, his biggest success and joy was creating a family with his wife that he always supported unconditionally with love and a sympathetic ear. And he did it all with the most beautiful smile upon his face each and every day!