Fred Bendler, Jr.

Fred Charles Bendler, Jr. 94, passed away Sunday, July 22, 2018 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Somerville. Born in Brooklyn he was the son of Fred and Louise (Bauerle) Bendler. Fred was a graduate of Bound Brook High School, Class of 1942, and was drafted to serve in WWII upon graduation. After returning from the war, he attended Rutgers at night to attain an Associate EngineerIng degree. He worked as a machine designer at Eagan Machinery for 34 years before retiring. A US Navy Veteran, serving from 1943 to 1946; he was the recipient of the Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Theatre Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Medal Commendation and the American Theatre Medal. While in the service, Fred learned to play the harmonica and honed his artistic skills in cartooning and drawing. Fred designed and built his own home in Middlesex and lived there for 63 years. He loved to travel out west with his beloved wife Aileen, listening and dancing to Big Band music, reading the funny papers every Sunday and doing the crossword puzzle. He was known for his sense of humor and big appetite. Fred was still active with the Seabees 113th Naval Battalion Reunion Group, held numerous offices within the group and was the editor of the newsletter. He was also a member of the Somerville Elks. Fred was predeceased by his wife Aileen Hayden Bendler in 2017. He is survived by his daughter, Beth Ann Starr and her husband, James of Bound Brook, his sister Jane Purkiss and her husband Donald; his sister in law Maryann Hayden; his god daughter Elaine Robertson; and his 2nd foreign exchange daughter, Paijong Laisakul of Thailand. Gathering with the family will be 6:00 - 8:00 PM Thursday, July 26, 2018 at Hagan-Chamberlain Funeral Home, 225 Mountain Ave., Bound Brook. Funeral Services will begin Friday, 1:30 PM, at the Bound Brook Cemetery Chapel, 500 Mountain Ave., Bound Brook. Burial will follow at Bound Brook Cemetery. Donations may be may to The Seabee museum & Memorial Park, 21 Lafrate Way, North Kingstown, Rhode Island 02852 or Seabee Memorial Scholarship Association, PO Box 667, Gulfport MS 39502-9909 orThe Bound Brook Presbyterian Church, 409 Mountain Avenue, Bound Brook, NJ 08805.