Norman H. "Jack" Moore

June 6, 1918 – January 1, 2010

Norman H. "Jack" Moore, 91, of Wayne, died Jan. 1, 2010.

He was born in Paterson and grew up in Lincoln Park. Moore graduated in 1936 from Boonton High School and soon thereafter moved to Chicago, Ill., where he worked for Greyhound for several years. Upon his return to New Jersey, Moore joined Horton Motor Lines which is where he began his long career in the trucking industry.

In 1942 while working at Horton, he met his future wife, Madeline Vogt. World War II interrupted his courting and career, and in 1943, Moore joined the U.S. Army Air Corps, specializing in RADAR Observer Reconnaissance. He was assigned to the 335th Bomb Squadron, 95th Bomb Group. Jack and Madeline continued to date when they decided to marry in May 1943. While training at Yale in New Haven and unable to get a leave, he went AWOL and traveled to Madeline's parent's home in North Haledon where they got married. Madeline even had a local photographer willing to remain open. They showed up at his shop around midnight and had their wedding photos taken. The next morning, they took a train back to Connecticut where Jack rejoined his unit - all seemingly unbeknown to his superiors and thus avoiding punishment. The train ride was the extent of their honeymoon and Madeline had to ride back home by herself.

After further training in Florida, Moore was shipped overseas with his group and saw much action in the European Theatre. He was honorably discharged from the service in 1945, attaining the rank of 1st Lieutenant.

After Moore returned safely from the war, they settled in Haledon for nearly 20 years. He continued his trucking career at Horton, but left that job to help Jim Johnson start Johnson Motor Lines where he rose to the position of terminal manager. He left Johnson Motor Lines after 20 years for a terminal manager position at Beacon Fast Freight, retiring in 1983. Moore then came out of retirement and accepted a position in the safety department of Dan Barclay, Inc for several years before ending his career with a broker, New Market Transportation.

In addition to fishing and vacationing in Maine, Moore loved trains. He enjoyed traveling on trains and was fascinated about train travel all over the world. He was also an avid reader and a devout Christian. He was a member of Pequannock Reformed Church in Wayne where he actively participated in the Bible Study class. He also enjoyed the Bible Study class at the Congregational Church in Bridgton, Maine.

Moore is survived by his wife of 66 years Madeline; son Ken and his wife Joanne of Pompton Plains; daughter Betty Pepper of Wayne; brother Glenn Moore and his wife Claire of Lincoln Park; grandchildren Karen Grogan and her husband Scott of Wayne, Christine Heil and her husband Jeff of Randolph, Brian Moore and his wife Lisa of Upper St.Clair, Pa., and Michael Pepper of Wayne; great-grandchildren Kayla and Melanie Grogan of Wayne and Julia and Jenna Heil of Randolph; as well as many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

He was predeceased by his sister Ethel Monaghan of Lincoln Park. Arrangements: Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, Wayne.

Passaic Valley Today (Little Falls, Totowa, NJ) - Thursday, January 14, 2010