Posted by the Ocean County Observer on 03/17/06 Robert "Pep" Lee Runion, 77, of Manchester died Wednesday, March 15, after a courageous battle with lung cancer and Lyme disease.
Robert, a lifelong Ocean County resident, was born in Lakehurst and lived in Manchester for the past 54 years.
Robert was a veteran of the U.S. Army.
He worked at Lakehurst Naval Air Station for 38 years as an electrician, retiring in 1984. He bowled with the NAS league for many years.
Robert and his wife, Lillian, were the owners of Pep's Fish Market, Route 37, Manchester, from 1959 to 1964.
Robert was a founding member and first chief of Manchester Volunteer Fire Company 32. After retirement, Robert became a clammer and a decoy carver. He received honorable mention at the world championship for decoy carving in the amateur division, and many residents of Ocean and Monmouth counties have collections of his decoys.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman his whole life. He knew some of the best spots in the Barnegat Bay for fishing.
He always had a garden and loved to cook for family and friends.
Most importantly, he was a loving husband, father and grandfather.
Robert was predeceased by nine brothers and sisters.
Surviving are his wife of 54 years, Lillian Feinberg Runion; two sons and daughters-in-law, Ronald L. and Gwen of Leonardtown, Md., and Gregory A. and Gail of Toms River; a daughter and son-in-law, Elaine Runion and Peter Lovering of Manchester; five grandchildren, Lucas Runion, Amanda Runion, Cassandra Runion, Mackenzie Runion and Robert Lovering; and three sisters, Joan Edgar of Jackson, Shirley Clayton of Lakehurst and Mildred Meyers of Arcadia, Fla. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today and 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday. A graveside funeral service will begin at 11:45 a.m. Saturday at Whiting Memorial Park. Arrangements are being handled by Anderson and Campbell Funeral Home, 3010 Ridgeway Road, Manchester, NJ 08759. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Manchester Volunteer Fire Company 32, 545 Commonwealth Blvd., Toms River, NJ 08757. Tributes may be sent to the family by visiting www.mem.com.
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