South River
Zigmond F. Biernacki Jr., age 89, of South River passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at Saint Peters University Medical Center, New Brunswick with his loving family at his side. His wife, Marie, passed away on August 30, 2014.

Born and raised in South River, Zig was a lifelong borough resident. He was the owner of Z. Biernacki Builders in South River for over 40 years. He was a prolific master custom home builder, taking great pride in designing and building over 200 custom homes, including one for each of his four siblings. The last home he built was for his daughter. His own home, a prized possession of his, was custom designed with love for his bride and was their residence for over 66 years.

With his expertise in the building contractor business, he was appointed by the Mayor of South River to be the local building inspector for multiple terms serving the borough. The family name was also honored by East Brunswick Township with a street called "Biernacki Court".

After retiring from his building contractor business, Zig began a new position at the South River Board of Education where he was their master builder. Among his many projects for the Board of Education was the reconstruction of the football stadium which saved the taxpayers thousands of dollars.

After his second retirement in 1999, at the age of 74, he continued to build custom glider swings, decks, cabinets, Adirondack chairs and other items for his growing family.

Zig proudly served his country during World War II in the European Theatre. He was a Private First Class in the United States Army's 7th Army, 3rd Division, 7th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, Company E where he received 2 Purple Hearts and other distinguished medals.

He was a lifelong communicant of Saint Mary of Ostrabrama R. C. Church in South River.

Many a day, you could find him in his workshop or on Saturday, you could find him at Englishtown Market looking for bargains and buying apples, peaches or kielbasa.

A fixture in South River, many will miss seeing him drive around town in his 1979 Gold GMC Pick-Up.

He is predeceased by his wife, Marie; his parents, Zigmond and Mary Biernacki and his siblings Walter Biernacki, Beatrice Safker and Pearl Peterson.

Surviving are his children and their spouses Marie & Anthony Tirrell of Freehold Township, Linda & John Grimm of South River and Zigmond & Barbara Biernacki III of Odessa, Florida; his grandchildren Jill Tirrell, Elyse Tirrell, Jennifer LaScala and her husband Kevin, Jonathan Grimm, Daniel Biernacki and his wife Katharine and Katherine Biernacki; his great grandchildren Julia De Mairo, Blaise De Mairo, and Charlotte LaScala; his twin sister Marian Vanek and his sister-in-law Lillian Mortimer.


Funeral services will be held Tuesday 10:30 AM from the Maliszewski Funeral Home 218 Whitehead Avenue South River followed by an 11 AM mass at Saint Mary of Ostrabrama R. C. Church in South River with burial to follow at Washington Monumental Cemetery, South River.

Calling hours at the funeral home will be held Monday from 2 PM to 4 PM and 7 PM to 9 PM. Letters of condolence, directions and complete arrangements can be found at www.maliszewskifuneralhome.com