Obituary of William B. Honachefsky, Jr.

WILLIAM BASIL HONACHEFSKY, JR, 81

William B. Honachefsky was loved by all, but no more so than by his family. His endearing love for his wife Bonnie will last forever past the 54 years they were married, along with his two sons William Jr. and Nicholas. Born in 1943, “Bill” spent his youth with father William, mother Irene, brother Greg and sister Mary Ann traipsing about the woodland paradise of Clinton Township and High Bridge when the area was simply sprawling beautiful farm fields and trout streams. As a master outdoorsman, he lived to hunt, fish and walk amongst the forest. He was known to catch brown trout from a stream using his bare hands and blend in so silently into the landscape that deer would unknowingly walk right up to him, as if he was a living, breathing part of the woods.   

Bill met his wife Bonnie in 1970 and it was only a year later in June 1971 they were married and the coming year after had children on the way. Though that didn’t slow down his hunting and fishing, his priorities changed for a minute as he designed and built the foundation for the home he would raise his family in for the rest of his life. Joyous times raising his children with Bonnie are the basis on what Heaven is made out to be.

As a lifelong Clinton Township resident, Bill dedicated his professional career conserving, protecting and fighting for the environment and its inhabitants. A graduate of Rutgers University, College of Agriculture and Environmental Science, Bill graduated with a BS in Environmental Engineering. He worked as Section Chief for the Department of Environmental Protection for over 40 years, and in his tenure among his accolades, service and titles included: a Professional Land Planner, Land Surveyor, Environmental Scientist, NJ Deputy Conservation Officer, Lifetime NRA Member, served Clinton Township for 37 years as a member of the Board of Health, Board of Adjustment, Planning Board, Open Space, Public Health Officer, and Environmental Commission. Notably, Bill authored three pivotal land planning guide books that are now housed in the Vatican, United Nations library and referenced in universities around the world. He was also called upon to present his expertise on land planning at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.

Among many professional achievements as a steward of the land and a champion for the environment at the DEP, two he was most proud of were organizing Operation Clean Shores in 1987, the first program of its kind, that was instrumental in ending ocean pollution and all-encompassing cleaning up the Jersey Shore beaches to their now pristine state. He also established and headed the revered ERCOM unit, responsible for identifying and cleaning up toxic waste sites in the 80’s and 90’s. The beaches of New Jersey are clean, and toxic waste sites vanished due to his direct initiative efforts.

However, out of all his many triumphs, none other was as prominent and important in his life than raising his family. A man of faith and conviction in the Catholic Church as a Knight of Columbus, his love knew no bounds. He never missed taking his sons to opening day of trout season or hustling them out of school for opening day of deer season and surely didn’t miss any of his son’s baseball or football games. He always had a wonderfully disarming sense of humor that kept people comfortable and happy. Many of his son’s friends considered him a father figure to them as well. Though a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease deteriorated his body, he never wavered his soul nor his capacity to love as he always found strength to smile from deep within his heart. He was and will forever be, right by his wife Bonnie’s side.

William B. Honachefsky’s legacy, love and influence in the world will last eternal. He is survived by his wife Bonnie, sons William Jr. and Nicholas and wife Emily, brother Greg Honachefsky, nieces Barbara Derrick, Tammy Maina, Kathy Lempicki, Kimberly Vidovich; nephews Thomas Harrison, Michael Lempicki, and Jeffrey Lempicki. Donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation.

Friends and relatives may visit with Bill's family on Wednesday, March 12th from 3:00 until 7:00PM at Martin Funeral Home, located at 1761 Route 31, Clinton NJ 08809. Funeral Mass will be offered on Thursday, March 13th at 10:00AM at St. Joseph's Cathoic Church, 59 Main Street, High Bridge NJ. Interment will follow at Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Annandale NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill's name may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation. Please Click Here to Donate