By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI
The Coaster family has lost one if its own with the death of columnist Bob Deerin this week.
Deerin died Mon., Oct. 22 at the age of 97 in Maryland at the assisted living facility where had been living for several years.
Deerin wrote the popular Deerin’s Dialogue for over 30 years starting at the Wall Herald in Wall Township where he also worked as a municipal reporter.
Along with his column he visited area schools for his Kid’s Question feature highlighting school children at their unfiltered best.
His column’s also appeared over the years in The Jackson and Point Pleasant Suns and The Courier in Middletown before joining The Coaster 15 years ago.
His dialogue was a lighthearted look at life which included nostalgic glimpses of the life of a fun loving Irish American who cherished his Irish heritage.
The Irish are known for their storytelling and Deerin did them proud.
Every now and then his dialogue would be a quiz testing people’s knowledge of history or current events.
People would fill out the quiz and mail it to The Coaster much to his delight.
Deerin befriended many of his readers, some of whom kept in touch with him.
Deerin was born in South Orange and he and his wife Theresa, who died at the age of 50, raised their four sons in Livingston.
A salesman most of his life Deerin also sold advertising for The Coaster after a long career selling industrial tape for companies in North Jersey.
Deerin served in the United States Coast Guard during World War II and was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus.
After becoming a shore resident, most recently in Spring Lake heights Deerin founded a tennis tournament to raise money for the former United Cerebral Palsy of Monmouth and Ocean counties, now known as The Ladacin Network.
The tournament ran for about 10 years raising thousands of dollars.
In addition to his wife Deerin is predeceased by his son Douglas.
He is survived by sons Robert and wife Claire; William and wife Stacy; Paul and wife Kay and Douglas’ widow, Patricia.
Also 11 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements will be in Maryland.
