Manfred “Fred” Spieth, age 89, passed away peacefully on January 8, 2026 in Neptune, NJ. He was born to German immigrants Rose and Max Spieth on April 29, 1936 and spent his early years in Brooklyn. He married Janet Williamson on October 1, 1966 and together they moved to Closter, NJ and raised three children. In Closter, he was an active and valued member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Haworth, NJ, serving as an usher, Sunday school teacher, and vestry member. After retiring in 1998, Fred and Janet moved to Whiting, NJ, where they joined St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church and enjoyed a relaxing retirement. Relocating to Seabrook in Tinton Falls, NJ in 2017 allowed them to be closer to family.

Mr. Spieth loved to tell stories of growing up in the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn, playing kick the can and watching Brooklyn Dodgers games. Mr. Spieth graduated from William Grady Vocational High School in 1954 and began work as a signal maintainer for the NYC Subway System. A proud member of the Local Union No. 3 IBEW, he later worked as the general foreman for IPC at the World Trade Center before retiring.

An avid reader, Fred could often be found in his favorite armchair with a copy of the New York Times or a World War I tome, slipping an extra treat to his favorite grand-dog Wilbur, and laughing along with the antics of Laurel and Hardy. True to his German heritage, he enjoyed a hearty meal and a good beer with family and friends (though he wouldn’t say no to a martini or a Manhattan). He will be missed by his wife of 59 years, Janet, as well as his children Holly Heim and her husband Alyn, Laurie Rutigliano and her husband Michael, and Eric Spieth and his wife Jana. He is also survived by grandchildren Allyson Jordan, Kathryn Smith, Andrew Heim, Matthew Rutigliano, Caroline Rutigliano, Timothy Rutigliano, Max Spieth, and Hana Spieth, and great-grandchildren Charlotte and Thomas Jordan.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 1pm in the Garden Room at Seabrook in Tinton Falls, NJ. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Reading is Fundamental at https://www.rif.org/ or to 

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church

43 Massachusetts & Grant St.

Haworth, NJ 07641