Herman ‘Jeff' Weiss died Sunday, July 20, 2003, at the Hunterdon Medical Center. He was 83 years old. Born in Waterbury, Connecticut, to Emil and Wilma Krause Weiss, he resided in Flemington for 82 years. He was a mechanic for Rich-Hil Transportation in Raritan Township, retiring in 1990. He resumed employment there part-time for several years after retiring. He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving in Normandy, Central Europe, Ardennes, the Rhineland and northern France campaigns. He was one of five veterans who built their homes on West Road here in Flemington on small lots the borough sold to them for $300 each during the post-war housing shortage. He and the other men constructed their houses on a part-time basis while holding regular jobs. While they hired some outside craftsmen, such as electricians, plasterers and tile setters, they did most of the work themselves and helped each other extensively. He and next-door neighbor Clarence Baker were the last of the group still living on West Road.

Mr. Weiss was a member of the Flemington Presbyterian Church and its building and grounds commission. He was a 56-year member and former chief of the Flemington Fire Company. He was a member of the Flemington Exempt Fireman's Association, a trustee of the Flemington Fire Relief Association and was named Fireman of the Year in 2001. He was a life member of the New Jersey State Fireman's Association. As a special tribute, Mr. Weiss was carried to Prospect Hills Cemetery atop "Old Betsy", an antique fire engine that he helped to restore and maintain in good running order. Every Memorial Day Parade, you could find him in full uniform behind the wheel driving down Main Street, waving to the crowd.

Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Gladys Housman Weiss; a son, Wayne Weiss of Pittstown; a daughter, Shirley Burd of Califon; a sister, Elsa Mazzucco of Flemington; four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.