George Phillip Feldner (95) of Oradell, NJ passed away peacefully on April 1, 2023. George was born to Phillip and Telka on January 19, 1928, in Kearny, NJ. He served in Company G of the 21st Army Infantry Regiment, rising to the rank of corporal while stationed in Japan from 1946 to 1948. George attended Gettysburg University but left when given the opportunity to attend a dealer sponsored co-op program at General Motors Institute in Flint Michigan. Upon completion, George worked at W.H. Peters Cadillac in Englewood, NJ, entering the industry on the ground floor as a car jockey. Due to his strong work ethic, George did any job asked and was promoted to Service Writer and then salesman in 1954. George had found his calling and quickly became the top salesman and then Sales Manager, upon John Schneider’s untimely death in 1974.
George took the risk and purchased the dealership. George successfully ran Feldner Cadillac until 1999, achieving Master Dealer status, the highest achievement for a dealer, every year, running the dealership with integrity and commitment to quality; if you bought a Feldner Cadillac you knew you would get a fair deal and great service.
George’s other passion was Hackensack Golf Club in Oradell, NJ, where he was a member since 1969, playing golf actively until shortly before his passing. He served on the board of directors and other functions including the handicap committee.
George was predeceased by his first wife Gloria Feldner (Clair) in 1998. He found love again, marrying Patricia Feldner (Harrison) in 2007. He is also survived by sons Mark (Lora) and Doug (Dawn), daughters Gail Cole (Brian) and Gwen Smyth(Kevin) and grandchildren Michael, Dana, Brendan (deceased), Connor, Colin, Kevin, Ryan, Kyle, Riley, Tyler, Kiera and Sydney.
George Feldner’s life was the quintessential American success story and the epitome of a life well lived. Growing up with very little, giving him the drive and work ethic necessary to achieve great success in the automotive industry. Business achievement was only one facet of George’s life. George was a loving husband, quick to pull his wife to the dance floor if a great swing tune was played. He taught his children important life lessons, but their time together was always filled with love. Anyone having dinner nearby when the Feldners went out was treated to a continuous chorus of laughter. George’s blue eyes would twinkle as he shared a joke or funny story and no one will ever forget George’s strong, mechanic’s handshake or his charisma and charm. If you were privileged to share a round of Golf or tumbler of Scotch with George, you were in for a great time. Later in life he enjoyed time with his many grandchildren and found immense joy in playing the role of Pop-pop. George’s was the epitome of a life well lived and he will be dearly missed. Now it is time to, in George’s words, say “bye-bye for now” to our beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend.
Visiting Tuesday, April 4th, 3-7 PM at the Beaugard-McKnight Funeral Home, 869 Kinderkamack Road, River Edge. Funeral Service at the funeral home Wednesday, April 5th, 10 AM. Interment to follow at George Washington Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the following charities:
Black poster project (We are an addiction and overdose awareness group) in memory of Brendan Cole – https://www.theblackposterproject.com/donate PGA Hope (the charitable arm of the New Jersey PGA Section) – njgolffoundation.org