- Welcome to Daley Life Celebration Studio, where we Celebrate the Color of Life.
Jeffrey M Offord
“I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people’s accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man’s failures.” – Earl Warren. Although it’s true that Jeff loved sports, and working as the Eagles beat writer for the Burlington County Times was his dream job, it is perhaps also reflective of his compassionate nature. He always strove to care for those around him. After his father’s death, he was fast to help take care of his mother; moving himself and his wife to live with her. When it came to his nieces and nephews his time was never too valuable to spend with them; when they vacationed in South Carolina or LBI they were all welcome, he was always up for getting them into an Eagles game and he even introduced most of the to their first Geno’s Cheesteak. Even his pets were a testament to his considerate ways. When a national scare regarding commercial dog food surfaced he took to making his own, his cats seldom went without his attention and he even took measures to make sure his pet fish was never lonely. rnOn the job his attitude remained the same. Those he covered often considered Jeff a friend first and journalist second. Any time he had the chance he loved to write about his hometown of Riverside. But whether he was covering Cunningham, McNabb or Vick it was never obvious to the reader that he was a Dolphins fan and believed Dan Marino was the finest of all quarterbacks. And despite being a whole-hearted animal lover, Jeff was fast to forgive our current #7.rnSports gave Jeff more than a career and pastime, it was during a high school volleyball tournament where Jeff would meet his future wife, Mary Jane (nee Fenimore). The two high school sweethearts were married shortly after Jeff finished college. He is also survived by his sister, Spinalba Collins (John) of Palmyra, and was predeceased by his parents John and Spinalba. He is the son-in-law of Mark and Bette Fenimore of Delanco, brother-in-law of Kathi and Mike Rossi of Riverside and Bette Lou and Dean Grob of Riverside and is the uncle of: Krystin, Joe, Emily, Shaun, Kristy, Alexis, Mark, Heather, Jake, Kolleen, Anthony, Brendon, Michaela, Abigal, Amanda, TJ, Kaleigh, Michael, Brian, Ryan, Bridget, Shawn, Shannon, Patrick and Kasey. Jeff was always proud to share his home with his cats, Zena and Meeki, his dogs, Gizmo and Princess and his fish, Q.rnCome celebrate Jeff’s 47 wonderful years Friday from 6-8 PM at the Sweeney Funeral Home, Riverside, and Saturday from 9 AM at the Zion Lutheran Church, Riverside, where the service will be at 10. Interment private. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to the John Walton Scholarship Fund C/O Wayne Richardson, Burlington County Times 4284 Rt. 130 North, Willingboro, NJ 08046.rn
12 Comments
I can’t stop thinking of Jeff and all of the good times we shared at RHS and after. Jeff was my best friend and my best man. Mary Jane please know that Deb and I are thinking and praying for you in your loss. Russ & Deb
Mary Jane-nOur thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Jeff will always have a special place in our hearts for so many reasons. He was kind, caring, and a great role model for others. He will be missed by everyone, especially his RHS “family.”
I had the always entertaining pleasure of working within a few desks of Jeff’s during my own newspaper career. Jeff was an eternally honest and irreverent journalist, two essential elements of telling the truth to your readers. He was more fun as an after-work colleague than I could ever describe. A truly admirable guy. I cannot believe he is gone and I hope that he enjoys eternal rest and peace. To his family, enjoy your memories of Jeff, secure in the knowledge that he was an irreplaceable good individual.
Though we will not be able to be with you Friday, we want to send our deepest sympathy to you, Mary Jane and the whole family. Our prayers are with you and in the days to come if you ever need anyone to talk to besides family, we are here for you.rnrnMary Jane, I have watched you grow from a small child into the beutiful woman you are today. You are strong, this will not be easy but you will make it though these tough times. Know that God is watching out for you and others are also. Love Woody and Judy
I worked with Jeff at the Burlington Coutny Times when I was in high school. I spent part of a school year there during my sophomore year of high school. As a fellow graduate of Riverside High school, albeit 6 years after Jeff, he helped show me the ropes at the BCT as I learned how to plug the local sports box scores into the computer every night during the fall and winter sports seasons. He called me “agate man,” which was the name for the box score lines printed in the paper. Jeff was a great guy and will be missed. My condolences go out to his family.
Mary Jane I am so sorry for your lost. Jeff was a great reporter and person. May God Bless your family
I remember Jeff during the few years I was part of the BCT slow-pitch softball tournament. He was a very soft-spoken guy. I remember Jeff from all the Holy Cross sporting events that he covered. I used to read his articles and got the sense he spoke to everyone that he needed to speak with in order to get a good story.nnMy sympathies to his BCT Sports Family, Friends and his familynnWilliam Bohmer—Manassas, Virginia(formerly of Burlington Township NJ.
My favorite memory of Jeff was when I was taking English 101 at BCC and Jeff decided to write a paper for me to see how he would score on a college paper after all these years. He wrote a paper on “Proper execution of planning a golfing tournament” and boy was he mad when he got a C! I remember he yelled ?WHAT, Let me see that paper? and as he reviewed my professors remarks he silently kept putting his head down and shaking from side to side. At the end he mumbled some choice words for my professor and said that he had no business teaching! Jeff was so helpful proof reading all my papers! He was more determined than I was in getting A?s on all my papers! rnI also love how Jeff would mention to any pregnant women: You know Jeffrey is a great name and if you replied you were having a girl he replied with ?Jefferina? rnrn
My condolences to your family. It was but a brief moment ago we shared the grief of your mothers passing. – My aunt Spin rnrnYour Cousin Chick
Mary Jane,rnrnPlease accept my heartfelt condolences,I was so saddened to hear of Jeff’s passing. I remember when I first met him,when he transfered to St.Peters when we were in 7th grade.Such a nice kid,and I will truly miss his “eagles” articles as I am a crazed fan who read everything he wrote and always got a good laugh! May your memories comfort u and please know that this RHS classmate of 83 will always remember him!
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Jeff. He is my second cousin. I am the granddaughter of Tony Maugeri. I knew Jeff when he was a teenager and saw him on my many trips to New Jersey with my family.rnOnce again, my deepest sympathy. rnLinda Maugeri-MalkiewiczrnHendersonville, TN
Mary Jane, Please know that our thoughts are with you and we have been thinking of you all day. We are thankful that we were able to see and spend time with you both last month. We were lucky to have such great neighbors. We will miss Jeff, who we thought of as a good friend. and hope that we will see you many more times.