Ebele H Bruining, Jr.

Ebele Bruining, 89 of Lodi, died peacefully on Saturday, May 6, 2023. Born and raised in Garfield, Ebele had been a resident of Lodi for 63 years before moving to the NJ Firemen’s Home 7 months ago.

He worked for his father Ebele, Sr. in the Bruining Fuel Co. located in Garfield.  He later became the proprietor of the business after completing a heating course at Lincoln Technical Institute in Newark.  He then proceeded to convert his customers from coal to oil heat. He retired in 1995.

Ebele joined the Lodi Fire Department in January, 1957 and was a member for over 60 years serving as chief from 1989 to 1992.  He was life member of the Lodi Exempt Firemen’s Association, NJ State Firemen’s Association, NJ State Exempt Firemen’s Association, South Bergen Fire Chief’s Association, and past of treasurer of Bergen-Passaic Exempt Firemen’s Association.   

He was a member of the First Reformed Church of Saddle Brook, and was a member of the Lodi Little League Old Timers Association where he also served as president.

Surviving are his devoted children Steven and his wife Nancy, James, Keith and Karen. Ebele was a cherished grandfather of Harrison and his wife Samantha, Andrew, Henry and Mathew.  Ebele was predeceased by his loving wife of 63 years, Joyce in 2019.

The Bruining family will receive friends on Friday, May 12, 4:00 until 8:00 PM at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home (www.vpfh.com), 257 Godwin Avenue, Wyckoff. Funeral services will be Saturday 10:00 AM at the funeral home. Interment will follow in the Lodi Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Ebele’s name may be made to a NJ State Firemen’s Home, 565 Lathrop Avenue, Boonton, NJ 07005.

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