Owen G. McNaboe

Owen George McNaboe passed away on April 10, 2024 surrounded by his family.  He was born on January 14, 1943.  He leaves behind his wife Carolyn (Shrump) and three children, Karen, Kathleen and Brian.  He is also survived by his loving siblings Fred (Dolores) McNaboe of Boca Raton, FL, John (Joan) McNaboe of Sparta, NJ, Elise (Stanley Diziekowski – Deceased) Cobb of Spanish Fort, AL, Patricia (Stephen) Hutton of Fort Myers, FL. and many cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, John and Erna (Schrumpf) McNaboe, brother Ernest, twin brother, August, and “Brother” Robert Denning.

Owen was a graduate of Irvington Technical and Vocational High School, class of 1961.  He studied heating and cooling which would lead him to his life’s occupation.  He was considered by many to be a master of mechanical and electrical systems and carried these skills into his professional and personal life.

His first job was with Exxon Corporation in Elizabeth, NJ, as a service technician working on home heating systems.  He then worked for Superior Enerquip Corporation in Edison, NJ. installing and servicing industrial boilers.  After many years of providing his technical expertise to some of the largest businesses in NJ, Owen started his own service business, Boiler & Burner Services, Inc.  His skills, experience and reputation allowed him to grow a very successful business where he continued to service many of the customers he had supported in prior years.  He was the kind of service partner that was reliable, honest and hard-working, so he was always in demand and very busy.

On August 23, 1964, he married Carolyn Shrump and together they raised three children Karen, Kathleen and Brian.  They lived in Edison for several years and then moved to Bridgewater where they lived while their children were growing up.  As a young family, they shared many summer vacations together on the beaches of North Carolina and lakes in the Pocono Mountains.  Trips to Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Cancun and Florida were vacation memories cherished by his children to this day.

Owen’s interest for travel followed him throughout his life.  Together he and Carolyn, along with their friends, Bobby Denning and Carol Amey, took annual vacations and explored many cultures of the world, including numerous trips throughout Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean, Hawaii, South America and Morocco and a visit to China ten days after 9/11 (when most people were afraid to fly).  He enjoyed visiting new places, learning the history and traditions of these countries and sampling different cuisines.

In early retirement, Owen moved with Carolyn to Florida.  After repairing and upgrading everything in the house, he quickly became restless in retired life and found a part-time job working at the local Home Depot.  Like every job in his life, he gave his new role everything he had.  He was recognized hundreds of times by customers and peers alike for his customer service.  Due to his expansive technical know-how and great people skills, the company soon pursued him to become a full-time employee.  He would often say that one of the things he liked most about working at Home Depot was talking to homeowners and sharing his knowledge to help solve their problems.

Years later, New Jersey called Owen back.  He lived in Flemington, NJ and continued to work at the local Home Depot.  When he could no longer work, he spent time with his family and pets and enjoyed watching his favorite television show, American Pickers.

Owen was a patient and attentive father who will be greatly missed by his children. As adults, his children would reminisce that their Dad knew how to fix everything and was perhaps the smartest man they ever knew. He led by example and taught them that with hard work they could achieve goals and have success.

His loss has left an emptiness in our hearts, but in this sorrow, we find comfort in the memories we shared, the laughter, the tears, the quiet moments, the loud celebrations.  His spirit lives on in each of us, in the lessons he taught us, and in the love he shared.

Rest in peace, dear Owen.  You will forever be missed, but your spirit will forever live in our hearts.

Visitation will be from 4-7PM on Friday, April 19, 2024 at Bridgewater Funeral Home, 707 E. Main St., Bridgewater, NJ 08807.

Funeral will be held on April 20 at 9:30 a.m. followed by interment at Glenwood Cemetery, West Long Branch, NJ 07764. 

While flowers are welcome, other contributions in memory of Owen can be sent to the ASPCA or The Humane Society of the US.

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