Plan for the Future
~~Blair R. Werthmann, 60, a lifelong resident of Chatham, took his final journey on Friday, February 5, 2016. He was born in Newark, NJ to Carmella (“C.T.”) Werthmann and J. Roger Werthmann, both deceased. After a five year battle with cancer, he peacefully left us.
Blair was a 1973 graduate of Chatham (Boro) High School. While there, he played many sports; first and foremost, football where he was captain his senior year. He continued on to Ohio Wesleyan where he again played football and was captain of the team. He worked at The Brown Jug and enjoyed meeting many people. He graduated in 1978 and after spending his third summer in Long Beach Island as a lifeguard at 32nd Street Beach, he took a job with the US Lines in New York, WTC, Tower 2. While he loved meeting and entertaining many people from around the world, he really wanted to leave his own mark in the world.
He was an accomplished professional and started a construction company that eventually evolved into BCEW Construction. He worked for many years at Newark Airport in commercial construction. From there, he moved into the residential market and built many homes in the Chatham area.
Playing rugby was another part of Blair’s life. He played for the Montclair Rugby Club, and when he got “older” he joined the MARS Rugby team/club. He traveled all over the world, adding names to his 35-page, 2,000+ contact list! But, his last greatest passing was golf. Planning a golf game, weekend, or trip with his friends was something he looked forward to. He traveled as far as the Carolinas and as close as Mendham, and always had a great time.
There is no greater gift in this world than being a true friend. Blair was that, and more, to many people. If you needed a plumber, electrician, or carpenter at any hour of the day, he “knew the guy”. If you needed a ride, a loan, or a shoulder, he was there. If you wanted to play golf, talk football, or just sit and be quiet, he was that man.
He leaves his sister, Wendy Drake, her husband, John, and his nephews Max, Sam, and Jack. He also leaves too many friends to list, but four among them must be named: Doug Atchison, T West, Mark Gregson, and Russ Sampson. He also held his assistant, Sam, in highest regard. And last, but not least, his faithful companion, Packer.
There will be a memorial mass on Saturday, April 2, 2016, at 11 am at St. Patrick’s Church, Chatham. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Blair’s name to either the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (www.stjude.org) or Father Hudson House, The Center for Hope Hospice, 111 DeHart Place, Elizabeth, NJ 07202.
Bye, Bro.