Contributions to the tribute of Eric Joseph Stoerzer

S

Sophia lit a candle

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Opa was a truly kind-hearted man who endured so much in his life but always showed love and warmth to his family and grandchildren. Some of my favorite memories are visiting his apartment and walking to the deli down the block to grab candy and spend time together—simple moments that meant so much. I’m so grateful he was able to join us for Susi’s 60th birthday party and share one last big celebration with the family. He will be deeply missed, but his love and the memories we shared will stay with us forever. Rest in peace, Opa Love always, Sophia

K

Kaitlyn uploaded photo(s)

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

+ 1

My Opa was quite a guy! He loved children, especially his daughters and grandchildren. Growing up, my Mom has told me many stories of how he would take her and her three sisters (Tante Karen, Tante, Rita and Tante Susi), "fourth sister," Rita Wargo, to the beach to go fishing. He would pile up all the girls and even their friends (including my Dad) early in the morning in the station wagon to have a fun filled day at the beach. Later, he would cook the fish he caught for the whole family. Whenever one of his grandchildren graduated school or had a major accomplishment, he always called to congratulate us and showed up to celebrate. He enjoyed celebrating his children and grandchildren. He always encouraged everyone around him. When I was a kid, I was on a gymnastics team for many years and every time we would see each other or speak on the phone he would say, "How's my Olympian? One day you're going to be in the Olympics!" Later on, I became a teacher, and he would always say how being a teacher is a calling and a very respectful career. He knew how to encourage others, usually with a smile and his big belly laugh! He was everyone’s number one fan! He taught us one of the most difficult lessons of all which is to learn from your mistakes. Opa shared his past mistakes in life with his daughters and grandchildren to teach us important lessons. He was a role model in how he became a member of AA where he sponsored and lectured at AA locations and even schools throughout NYC. He even volunteered as a Substance Abuse Counselor to help others and give to those in need. The best of all, is that he created one of my favorite family memories. When our family would celebrate Christmas every year, we would pile in Oma's basement and listen to German music to celebrate. Opa would chime in with the music and sing in German. He would also bring the "pregnant Cannoli," which was a huge cannoli stuffed with fifty little cannolis. During our Summer BBQ gatherings, he would bring all different types of German wurst that everyone would eat in two seconds, especially the "mini hot dogs." Everyone looked forward to Opa bringing treats and desserts. He knew that it made everyone happy. Thank you for being the best Opa and sharing love, memories, and cannolis with us! You will always be with us, Opa. Love, Kaitlyn (Arron and Owen)

S

Sammy Augugliaro uploaded photo(s)

Monday, January 13, 2025

Opa Eric was a man of incredible wisdom, kindness, and unwavering support. He was a beacon of encouragement, always championing the dreams of those he loved. To me, he was more than a grandfather—he was my greatest fan, always in the audience for my dancing and acting performances, proudly calling me “Sammy, the star of stage and screen.” His pride in my pursuits gave me confidence and joy. Opa had a brilliant mind and an enlightening spirit, always eager to share his knowledge and perspective. One of my fondest memories is visiting him and stopping by Myrta’s Deli for candy—a simple tradition that brought us so much happiness. We will miss his presence in our lives more than words can say. His love, guidance, and light will remain with us forever. Rest peacefully, Opa. You will always be in our hearts.

M

Michael Sr lit a candle

Sunday, January 12, 2025

Although I didn’t know Eric as well as would have liked to, from the moment I met him, it was obvious how smart and compassionate he was. All of the memories Denise shares with me about him paint a perfect picture of the man he was. Michael and Gabriel always loved visiting him and we’ll always remind them of those visits. Thanks for pitching in with Denise. She’s lucky to have you in her life. Rest well, Michael Sr., Jr. , & Gabriel Eric

D

Denise uploaded photo(s)

Sunday, January 12, 2025

My memories with Eric are endless. Whether it was our bus rides, cooking together, or listening to classical music on full blast, I learned so much from him. I will cherish all of our moments forever. Eric, I can’t thank you enough for allowing me into your life and giving me the dad that my own father couldn’t/wouldn’t be. You helped mold the person I am today, and I can’t imagine what my life would have been without you. I hope you know how much I love and appreciate you. You have touched the lives of countless people in ways you probably don’t even know. To know you is to love you. “We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace.” - The Promises Love, your Baby Bird

E

Eric's Daughters: Karen, Lorie, Rita and Susi posted a condolence

Saturday, January 11, 2025

Dear Dad, I remember the good times and all the great things we did with you as kids. Spending lots of time with your parents (our Oma Klara and Opa Erich) who literally lived in the NYC apartment 3 feet away from our apartment door, and always making sure we had fun trips visiting our aunts, uncles and cousins. You always made sure we enjoyed life to the fullest. We remember in NYC during Christmas, we were in Oma Klara's apartment with cousins/aunts/uncle, you would run into Oma's apartment and tell us that Santa just delivered the gifts in our apartment. You had to quickly step out of the way because there was a stampede of kids running out of Oma Klara's apartment and into our apartment only to be disappointed because we just missed Santa every time escaping on our 86th Street fire escape going to the rooftop to take off with the reindeers. lol You also enrolled us at the New York City Turnverein for gym and dance lessons which allowed us to march in the Steuben Day Parade up Park Avenue. You let us join Rhinelanders on First Avenue, where we learned how to swim. You took us sleigh riding at Gracie Mansion, went to Jones Beach and Fire Island during the hot-humid city summers--such a relief !! When you caught blue fish and striped bass, you broiled delicious fish for dinner when we returned home. I can still taste the fish!! :) Other times, you took us to Central Park Zoo, the Central Park Easter Hunts, ice skating at Wohlman Rink and Tuckahoe Rink where we enyoyed skating for hours and sipping hot chocolate. Trips to Pennsylvania, Mystic Seaport, Catskill Game Farm. In later years after moving to Queens, you took us to Fountain Springs Lake in NJ with a car load of children, grilling a smorgasbord breakfast and lunch for your daughters and our friends who came along for the trip!! Poor dad spent most of his time grilling, but loved every minute. :) What really stands out is the love you had for your 4 daughters and their friends too. You never said "no" to bringing our friends along, making those memories even more special. You were a lot of fun and sometimes, very importantly, a goofy dad too. :) You taught your daughters to become loving-strong-independent women, who make wise choices and to remember to always support our family and friends. I remember when we went trick or treating and collected candy in our early childhood years, you taught us to share with those less fortunate. When we collected bag fulls of candy from our NYC apartment building, you asked us to keep only 1 bag and took us to the New York Foundling Hospital to give the candy to the nuns for the children who were ill. Every year we received a beautiful letter of thanks from the nuns that dad would read to us. You always made sure to attend all of your childrens' award ceremonies, graduations and numerous events. You even filmed a lot of these precious memories allowing your daughters to share these treasured moments with your grandchildren, great-grandchildren and future family to come. Dad, we love you and hope you are at peace now with Oma Klara and Opa Erich. -- love always, Karen, Lorie, Rita and Susi Our family would also like to take this opportunity to thank a very special group of people who gave the support and strength to our father during a very difficult time. This was the best gift that my father ever gave to his daughters and espcially to his mother who thankfully lived to see the day. Thank you for giving a son back to his mother and returning our father to us. We are forever grateful. God bless all of you.

K

Keith Maas posted a condolence

Saturday, January 11, 2025

Hi this Keith and Reginald Maas I’m sorry for the loss of your father and grandfather Eric stoerzer he was a great grandfather and father to the 4 daughters I just want to say something’s that my grandfather did with me Keith Maas we went out to eat on fresh pond rd he gave me money when it’s my birthday and holidays and on the weekend sometimes I remember when he said to me is your tank low I always laugh in enjoy I always say when he gave me money you don’t have to keep your money it’s not about the money it’s about respect and care one each other and loving each other then when my grandfather gets older he was having a lot of medical issues and illness and Keith Maas and Karen Maas and Reginald Maas goes to his house do his mail and take out his garbage and goes to stores for him. but when my grandfather got older I was stunned when I found out he was going to nursing home and when that happened I Keith Maas and Karen Maas and Reginald Maas helped out clean his apartment throws furniture out and more so the family wanted to call junk removal I said no why save your money I called up DSNY Q5 and I talk to a supervisor and I know everybody there I work there for snow removal over 8 years they came the next day and took everything with no cost. I always told him if you need anything I’m here to help like what I did Keith Maas and Reginald Maas and Karen Maas he here to help if needed I understand I wasn’t able to see him before I passed because my family when through a divorce last year but it’s not about the divorce it’s about Eric stoerzer. You will be missed Sincerely Keith Maas Reginald Maas

S

The family of Eric Joseph Stoerzer uploaded a photo

Friday, January 10, 2025

A Memorial Tree was planted for Eric Stoerzer

Thursday, January 9, 2025

We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Morton Funeral Home / Ridgewood Chapels Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree

Eric Joseph Stoerzer

1932 - 2025

Plant a tree in memory of Eric