BRAZDA, ROLAND E. JR “BRAZ”, 82, of Brick, formerly of Teaneck died peacefully with his family and companion at his side on Saturday, August 16 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune after a long, hard fought and courageous battle with cancer. Born and raised in Teaneck, son of the late Roland Sr. & Wilma Brazda and stepson of the late Barbara Brazda, upon graduation from Teaneck High School he enlisted in the Navy where he proudly served during World War II. After his honorable discharge from the service, Braz was a lifelong bartender at Feibel’s Recreation in Teaneck and was the owner/operator of County Parcel Service of Teaneck until his retirement to Brick in 1988.
Family was everything to Braz, as was evidenced by the many sacrifices he made on their behalf over the years. Working two jobs for most of his adult life, there was not a summer that passed without the family vacationing in Ogunquit, Maine. He was predeceased by his wife and loving mother of their children, June Lee Brazda, in 1968.
He loved the beach, ocean cruises, dining out, his garden, sharing his annual bumper crop of Jersey tomatoes and he was an avid reader and pool player. A most loving, caring and compassionate friend and parent, he is survived by his 4 children – daughter Sharon Koumjian & her husband Harold of Bergenfield, son Roland III and his companion Cheryl Wirz of Brick, daughter Gayle Fortoul of Ringwood and son Ricky and his wife Anita of Ringwood as well as 9 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, his long-time companion, friend and confidante Rose Billings of Teaneck and her family, and his sister-in-law Patricia Sinko of Barnegat and her family, every one of whom loved, cherished and will miss him dearly.
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM Tuesday, August 19 at Volk-Leber Funeral Home, 789 Teaneck Rd., Teaneck. A funeral service will be offered at 11 AM, Wednesday, August 20, followed by burial in Brookside Cemetery, Englewood, NJ.