Henry R. Orndorff, age 92, a resident of Fair Haven since 1961, passed away peacefully Saturday, February 13, 2016, at The Chelsea, Tinton Falls. Born in Ridge Farm, Illinois to the late Blanche Bunting and Frank Orndorff, he lived in Boston and grew up in South Amboy. He graduated valedictorian from Hoffman High School and received a BS from Newark State College of Engineering night school after serving in the Merchant Marines during World War II. He attended the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point and participated in the convoys to Murmansk, Russia. In 1943 his Liberty ship was torpedoed off the coast of South Africa and he spent 6 days adrift in a lifeboat before being rescued near Durban. He spent 40+ years as a chemical engineer at NL Industries in Sayreville. An avid golfer, he played most of the Monmouth County courses and was 52 year member of Tower Hill church.
Henry is predeceased by his wife of 66 years, Margaret Woodruff, in 2013, his sister Virginia Estelle, and his brothers Verlyn and Warren. He is survived by his daughters, Deborah Duffy, Eatontown; Barbara Creech, Springfield; his grandchildren, William Duffy and his wife Suzanne, Fair Haven; Jonathan Duffy and his wife Kimberly, Lawrenceville; Kristin Schroeder and her husband Thomas, Summit; John Creech, New York City, and 4 great grandchildren, Addison, Reagan, Charles Henry, and Owen Henry and many nieces and nephews. The family wishes to express their appreciation and thanks to the staff of The Chelsea and to the people of Grace Hospice for their compassionate care. A memorial service will be held to celebrate his life on Saturday, February 20 at 10 a.m. at Tower Hill Church, 255 Harding Rd, Red Bank. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The First Presbyterian Church at Red Bank, 255 Harding Rd, Red Bank, NJ 07701, or to Grace Healthcare Services, 105 Fieldcrest Ave, Suite 402, Edison, NJ 08837. The Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St, Red Bank is entrusted with the arrangements.
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