Condolences to the family and many friends of Jeffrey A. Bader, 63, who died on April 4 surrounded by his loving family, after an unexpected medical event.
He was born on Sept. 4, 1955.
He is survived by his beloved wife Gerilyn (nee Keller), son Chad Bader and his wife Camila, daughter Torie Pollack and her husband Ben, daughter Callie Bader and her fiance’ Avery Normyle, and his adored grandson Jayden Pollack.
Bader will be missed greatly by his father-in-law Lou Keller, and sister Sheryl Katzenstein. He is predeceased by his parents Herman and Celia Bader, his mother-in-law Shirley Keller, his sister Michele Bader, and brother-in-law Les Katzenstein.
Born in Passiac, Bader was a longtime resident of Woodcliff Lake, and served the borough in many capacities over the years, including four terms as a councilman, police and fire commissioner, chairman of Building and Grounds, Triboro Public Safety commissioner, Planning Board member, Parks & Recreation Committee member, and president of the Woodcliff Lake Baseball Association.
He also proudly coached both the WCL baseball and softball leagues and the WCL basketball league, and was an active member of Temple Emanuel in the borough.
Professionally, Bader was a highly respected leader in the motor carrier industry. He was the founder and CEO of Golden Carriers, Inc., an intermodal trucking, warehousing and logistics company serving the Port of New York & New Jersey, with customers throughout the U.S. and Canada, for more than 40 years.
He served eight elected terms as the president of the Association of Bi-State Motor Carriers, a non-profit organization based in Port Newark that advocates for the intermodal trucking community, representing the group since its formation in 2002.
He also served on the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey’s Council on Port Performance since 2013, and was Vice Chairman of the Bergen County Utilities Authority since 2014.
In addition to his loving family, Bader leaves behind many friends and work colleagues who are heartbroken over his untimely passing.
He was known for always taking a diplomatic approach to problem-solving, willing to sit down and talk with people face to face to resolve issues and achieve positive change.
Bader is remembered as deeply valuing his friendships and work relationships, but his greatest source of pride, happiness and love came from spending time with wife, children, and his grandson. He was a big believer in putting family first, and the strong bond that he shared with his loved ones sustained him throughout his life. He lived an exemplary life of service, gratitude, and humility. He was always there for his friends, ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.
His family said, “Jeff Bader’s legacy of love, compassion, and unselfishness will be forever remembered and cherished by all who knew him.”
A funeral service was held on Friday, April 5 at 10 a.m. at Gutterman and Musicant Funeral Home, 402 Park Street in Hackensack,followed by burial at Cedar Park Cemetery/Beth El Cemetery, 735 Forest Ave., Paramus.
Shiva will be observed at the Bader home on 81 Blueberry Dr. in Woodcliff Lake on Friday following the burial, until 5 p.m.; Sunday April 7 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 3 to 5 p.m., and 7 to 9 p.m.; Monday, April 8 from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.; Tuesday, April 9 from 7 to 9 p.m.; and Wednesday April 10 from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Minyan services are Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
In recent years, Bader became a vocal advocate for organ donation and kidney disease awareness. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the National Kidney Foundation, c/o Jeff Bader Team Kidney Campaign, 30 East 33rd St., New York, NY, 10016.
