Friday, July 14, 2006 By AKIBA HUNTER and DANIEL GALIOTO HERALD NEWS - NEW JERSEY CLIFTON -- Lester F. Herrschaft, a former city councilman, World War II veteran and president of the Board of Education, was described by Mayor James Anzaldi as "a real big part of Clifton for a long time." Herrschaft died on Thursday; he was 80. Mr. Herrschaft began his public career in 1970, when he was appointed to the Board of Education by then-Mayor Anna Latteri, and remained a commissioner for 15 years, having served as president for the last seven. His dedication was honored when the school board renamed its headquarters in old School 6 after him. In 1986, Mr. Herrschaft was elected to the City Council, where he served for 12 years. "He was generous in all the years he was active in the community," Anzaldi recalled. "He was not afraid to use what (the city) had for others: helping the kids, helping the poor, helping an abandoned dog. He was always there." Because of his recognized leadership and service, the Clifton Senior Center also was named in his honor. A graduate of Clifton High School and later Fairleigh Dickinson University, Mr. Herrschaft was a man who wore many hats in handling a myriad of tasks. He was a principal in the Albert A. Stier Inc. Real Estate Agency in Clifton and the property manager for their Styertowne Shopping Center for 50 years before retiring in 2001. He continued to serve as president of the Passaic Valley Water Commission and as a board member for both the Clifton Rent Leveling Board and the Clifton Adult Opportunity. Despite his busy career, Mr. Herrschaft served on various committees - board of governors of Passaic General Hospital, on the advisory board of Valley National Bank and the Passaic County Legal Fee Arbitration Committee. People who knew Mr. Herrschaft said he graciously made time for local organizations. He was a promoter for the Boys Scouts of America, the Clifton Boys and Girls Club and Passaic-Clifton YMCA. He served as special gifts chairman of the Passaic Valley United Way. His generosity, led to a "Man of the Year" honor from several area organizations. About these many honors and awards, Mr. Herrschaft was humble, Anzaldi said. "He liked it, but on the other hand (he would say), 'Jimmy don't make a big deal about it.'" A World War II Army veteran, he served in the European Theatre of Operations and participated in the Battle of the Bulge and received the Purple Heart for valor. He was a member of Chapter 2 of the Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars Albion Post 7165, Athenia Veterans Post 147, and past president of the Clifton Rotary Club. Mr. Herrschaft was a member and promoter of the Deriter Club of Clifton, a member of Free and Accepted Masons Lodge 203, and a 20-year president of the Clifton Masonic Temple Association. He was a member of the Forrest Hill Field Club, Bloomfield; Valley of Northern New Jersey Scottish Rite, Lincoln Park; Salaam Shrine Center, Livingston; and the Parsippany Congregation of New Apostolic Church. Aside from Mr. Herrschaft's many memberships and contributions to the city, Anzaldi remembered the former City Council member as "a loyal and steadfast friend. He was always there, and he listened," and of his passing, Anzaldi noted, "It's a sad thing for this city. He's part of its history." Mr. Herrschaft was preceded in death by a brother, William J., and a sister, Gladys K. Surviving are his wife, the former Dorothy A. Stier; two sons, Lester A. Herrschaft of Clifton and Peter E. Herrschaft of Wayne; a brother, Charles E. Herrschaft of Guilford, Conn.; and three grandchildren. Allwood Funeral Home, 660-670 Allwood Road, is in charge of arrangements. July 14, 2006