the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Mahwah NJ, William J. (Bill), Cobb of Mahwah, formerly of Ridgewood and Paramus, died on July 17, 2016. Bill Cobb was born in 1928 in Walton, NY, the second son of Russell Carpenter Cobb and Gertrude Sawyer Cobb. He grew up in Hasbrouck Heights, graduating in 1946 with honors and as class president. After graduation, he enlisted in the Navy. He entered the NROTC program at Princeton University. At graduation, he was commissioned an Ensign in the Navy on the aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Tarawa, in the sixth fleet in the Mediterranean.
In July 1954, he returned to Europe to marry Andree Hammer of Luxembourg. He earned his Master’s degree in Teaching and Administration at Columbia University, and then a Doctorate in Administration. He was employed by the Ridgewood public schools for 30 years serving as a teacher, principal of GW, assistant superintendent, and the “go to “acting superintendent.
Bill was particularly proud of his contribution at the Children’s Therapy Center in Fair Lawn, as well as serving on the school of the board of the Forum School in Waldwick for 25 years, 10 years as Board President.
Bill is survived by his wife Andree Hammer Cobb, his daughter Andree L. Cobb, and his granddaughter Katrina Cobb of Mahwah, NJ; his son Russell P. Cobb and daughter-in-law Cristine and son William J. Cobb and daughter-in-law Patricia of Lake Luzerne, NY; son Paul A. Cobb and his husband Tom Grady of Dartmouth, MA; and grandchildren Brian Cobb and wife Katie and great-grandson Liam of Ridgewood, NJ; Jessica McMahon and husband Christopher of Haskell, NJ; William Cobb and fiancée Kristin Dikun of Midland Park, NJ; Lindsay Moeller and husband Matthew of Haledon, NJ; and his sister Louise Cobb Moore of Highland, NY.
Bill passed away at home surrounded by his family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Valley Hospital Foundation/Hospice, 223 North Van Dien Ave., Ridgewood, NJ 07450, in memory of Bill Cobb.
What a great guy, he will be missed..!
He was a great role model for our kids.
What were his inclusive years at GW?