Jeffrey “Jeff ” Mackey, age 79 years, of Raritan Township, NJ, died peacefully on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at home, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Malden, MA, September 8, 1939, son of the late Augustus Mackey and Sarah Christina Mackey, he was raised in Metuchen, NJ, lived in New Monmouth, NJ before settling in Flemington, NJ twenty-five years ago.

Family always came first in Jeff’s life. A loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend is how he would certainly want to be remembered. Basketball Coach John Wooden once said, “The most important thing in the world is family and love”. Always in care of his family, he could also be found helping friends, neighbors, and co-workers. He never put himself first and he gave without asking or expecting anything in return.   As substantiated by author, Douglas Adams, “To give real service you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity.” These two things simply describe Jeff. With his loyal dedication to everyone in his life, he was not just a Dad, but their friend. Known for his encouragement, he always had his children rise to their full potential.  There was nothing he believed they could not do. He loved watching them play sports from football to baseball, no matter the outcome, Jeff was always the proudest dad or granddad in the stands; their BIGGEST fan.

Joining the United States Navy in March of 1958, he faithfully served his country and was honorably discharged in February 1967.

As Fire Chief for the Old Village Fire Company, Station 11, it was service to his community which made him very proud. Assisting others means being unselfish, it means doing something for someone else without any reward or personal gain. As Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

Working for twenty-five years as a Vice President of the brokerage division for ATS, in Burlington, NJ, Jeff retired two years ago. He will be remembered, as a trailblazer, by his family being a leader by teaching one of the first woman in the company to drive a truck back in the late 1960’s.

Surviving are his loving wife, Cynthia Elizabeth Sachse Mackey; his children, Jeffrey Mackey, Jean Lebleu and her husband, Olivier Lebleu, Christine Stell Strong and her husband, Alan Strong, Brian Stell and his wife, Kristin Stell; his grandchildren, Jeffrey, Margot, Robert, Jameson, Kaelyn, Lyla, Trevor, Leah, Jordon, and Madelyn; his sister, Nancy Ulasewich and her husband, George Ulasewich; several extended family members; and many dear friends.

Funeral services will take place on Monday, March 18, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at the Chapel of Ewing Crematory, 78 Scotch Road, Ewing, NJ, under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ 08822. Everyone is kindly requested to meet directly at the Chapel on Monday morning beginning at 10:15 a.m..

Please visit Jeff ‘s permanent memorial site at www.wrightfamily.com where one can light a candle, leave a message of condolence and words of comfort, as well as share stories and photographs of his life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his honor may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.