Donald Gelfer, 92, of Lake Ridge, Toms River passed away January 14, 2026, at home. Donald was a clerk for the U.S. Post Office, Paterson, NJ for 37 years before retiring. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, he resided in Port Jervis, NY, Paterson, NJ and Cedar Grove, NJ before moving to Toms River 26 years ago. Donald proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1956-1958. Active in his community, Donald was a member of the Current Events Club, the Government Committee and Shalom Club. Donald loved the NY Giants and NY Yankees. He enjoyed long walks, playing bocce and reading. Donald was a student of history and enjoyed political discussions. Donald is survived by his wife Tana, of 59 years, son Steven Gelfer of Montclair, daughter Karen Gelfer of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, brother Herbert Gelfer of Boynton Beach, FL, nieces Susan Marmol and Janice Weinblatt. The family will be receiving relatives and friends at 12pm Friday, January 16, 2026, at DeGraff Lakehurst Funeral Home, 119 Union Ave., Lakehurst with a chapel service at 2:30pm at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery, 350 Provinceline Rd., Arneytown. Immediately following, family and friends are welcomed to Tanaโs home. In addition, the family will be receiving friends and relatives from 6:30-8:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association.
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I am deeply sorry for your great loss. Sending my condolences to the entire Gelfer family. May he rest in peace and may his memory forever be a blessing.
He will be missed greatly. A wonderful friend that we shared many fun and happy moments and you were one of a kind. RIP Don, we love you !
So sorry for your loss Karen and family
May God bless you all
Alison
I will always remember Don as a gentle, strong and quiet soul. When he spoke, it was always kind and positive. I never heard him speak a negative or unkind word. That is rare in this world, and I am Blessed to have known him … And, his hugs were the best! He always gave me a good squeeze whenever we saw each other ๐ I will miss his sweetness, and smile, but his spirit remains in my heart.
Dear Tana and family,
How very sorry she saddened to hear about Donโs passing.
Although I never had the chance to meet Don ื”ื personally, I feel connection to your family, shaped over time and through our family’s shared history.
Vicariously, I sense the beauty that you and Don brought into this world through your family – deeply connected, bound together with love, filled with a zest for life – rising far above the ruins of the nightmares of history that once tried to block your path.
May you and your family be blessed with strength, courage, and the hope that, in time, mourning will give way to a beautiful tomorrow, rich with joyful memories and new chapters filled with light.
May Donโs memory be a blessing.
ืืจืื ืืืื ืืืืช
Please accept my heartfelt condolences.
Oliver
on behalf of my family.
Dear Tana and family,
How very sorry and saddened I am to hear about Donโs passing.
Although I never had the chance to meet Don ื”ื personally, I feel connection to your family, shaped over time and through our family’s shared history.
Vicariously, I sense the beauty that you and Don brought into this world through your family – deeply connected, bound together with love, filled with a zest for life – rising far above the ruins of the nightmares of history that once tried to block your path.
May you and your family be blessed with strength, courage, and the hope that, in time, mourning will give way to a beautiful tomorrow, rich with joyful memories and new chapters filled with light.
May Donโs memory be a blessing.
ืืจืื ืืืื ืืืืช
Please accept my heartfelt condolences.
Oliver
on behalf of my family.
Sending you so much love Karen. May your fathers memory be a source of comfort and strength to you and your family.