John E. Opfer Sr.
John E. Opfer Sr. was born in 1917 to John G. Opfer and Catherine “Katie” Opfer. His father had become a Camden police officer before America entered World War I. His grandfather, also named John Opfer, had run a beer saloon at 423 North Front Street at the turn of the century, and by 1920 was working as a fireman at the Camden Municipal Hospital. By 1920 the family had moved around the corner to 423 North 2nd Street. By 1930 John G. Opfer was working as a detective for the Camden Police Department. The family still lived at 423 North 2nd Street, near the corner of 2nd and Pearl Streets, and would remain there into the 1950s.
John E. Opfer joined the Camden Police department on September 23, 1940. By 1947 John E. Opfer had married. Sadly, his father, John G. Opfer, had passed away by this time. The 1947 City Directory shows that he and his wife, the former Marie Welch, and his widowed mother still lived at 423 North 2nd Street. The Opfers moved to Williamstown NJ in 1960, where they lived out the rest of their years.
John E. Opfer served with the Camden Police Department into the 1980s. His wife, Marie Opfer, also served on the Camden Police Department during the 1960s. Marie Opfer died in May of 2006. John E. Opfer joined her on May 29, 2006.
Mrs. Kobus to Ask More Cops, Firemen for City Next Year
Camden Courier-Post —
New Appointment Return Forces to 1938 Status; Defense Increases Need
Appointment of 22 patrolmen and 10 firemen by City Commissioner Mary W. Kobus during the past three months has brought the personnel of the public safety department to figures comparable to 1938.
That announcement was made yesterday by Commissioner Kobus, who expressed the hope the city could afford additional members of both departments in the near future “as a safety measure and because of the great national, State and local defense programs, in which we must participate.”
Appointments Listed
The new policemen appointed by Commissioner Kobus were:
Joseph Caputi, 332 Mt. Vernon street; Joseph M. Carroll, 427 Lansdowne avenue; Roland Comerford, 2931 Cramer street; Vincent Conley, 423 Beideman avenue; James Eskridge, 716 North Seventh street; Joseph Hooven, 501 Beideman avenue; Julius Kaunacki, 1183 Sheridan street; William E. Kelly, 55 State street; William F. Large, 729 Mickle street; William H. Neale, 773 Line street; Francis J. Nelson, 720 Penn street; John E. Opfer, 323 North Second street; Cecil H. Picou, 1127 Cooper street; Earl Quinton, 687 Jefferson avenue; Edw. W. Tatem, 565 Mt. Vernon street; Harry Tracy, 2003 Federal street; Harold I. Vecander, 1039 North Twenty-sixth street; John H. Watkins, 2902 Constitution road; Edward Watson, 1048 Haddon avenue; Donald R. Watson, 841 Lois avenue; George T. Weber, 1231 North Thirtieth street; Stanley Zuckowicz, 1157 Thurman street.
The new appointees to the fire department are:
Philip H. Farrow, 529 Newton avenue; Anthony W. Bretschneider, 1621 Louis street; John Gryckiewicz, 810 North Front street; Thomas Winstanley, 329 Bailey street; William Palese, 900 South Fourth street; Anthony Dzinski, 1230 Atlantic avenue; Joseph R. Guarino, 25 Morse street; Martin B. Nelson, 561 Spruce street; William Cleary, 614 Federal street; and Otto Kaiser, 904 North Twenty-sixth street.
Seven Violate Trucker Rule On Boulevard
Camden Courier-Post —
City Court Scene: Benjamin Dzick - Admiral Wilson Boulevard - North 3rd Street - Stanley Kierszniewski - Wayne Zienynki - Jackson Street - North 20th Street - John Moffa - William Haines - Dr. Lee J. Hammett - David Hainesworth - John Opfer - Charles Voll - William Miller - Harry Grebowich.
Veterans Boxing Association Ring 6 — 11th Annual Banquet, April 20, 1959
Named: Joey Powell, 1931, 127lbs. Dick Graminga, Charles Humes and Tony Georgette, Managers. Eddie Prince, Lew Sparks and Jack Blackburn, and Trainers..
Joey Powell’s Well-Wishers — Also Extend Best Wishes to Sergeant Ray Smith
Joseph Grochowski • Al Bunker • Ed Kaszycki • Andy Friday • John Skiba • John Dombrowski • Walter Szalanski • Nick Pawlak • Wm. O’Brien • Bill Neil • Wm. Schultz • Tom Scarduzio • Peter Paull • Barney Tracey • Dave Hainsworth • Walter Zimolong • Edward Shapiro • Thomas McLaughlin • John Opfer • Vallie Francesconi • Tom Ryan • Leon Lucas • Jesse Urban • Bobbie Zimmerman • Joe (Kid) Murphy • Pee Wee Wilson • Jackie Gleason • Joe Vitarelli • Al Daley • Frankie Youker • Joe McEvoy • Frank Valenti • Jim McFadden • Charles Bauer • George Ballantine • James O’Neill • Dorothy Dougherty • Agnes McHenry • Vicky Dangler • Francis Souders • Loretta and Reds • Bart • Roger Cotton • Leon McCarthy • Kenneth Geitz • Joe Daubman • Norman Jacobson • Nick Colofrancisco • Chris Rago • Charles Myers • Ray Cohand • Paul Harduk • Charles Wells • Carl Stolinski • Walter Wilson • Steve Straub • Charley Kmiec • Jimmy Tyler • Joe Dorfy • William Vogel • John Campbell • Steve O’Keefe • Sam Laird • Ed Rickter • Don Cragin • John Odorisio • Michael Przywara • Walter Paleszewski • Watson Burdalski • Stanley Snajkowski • Frank Drabik • John P. Kawczak • Frank Kulesa • Steve Kirby • James R. Asher • Polack Tony • Stephen Yakopczyna • Helen and Chick • Don Wilson • James Monaghan • George Carr • Bill Jentsch • John Greenan • Charles Galasso • Don’s Barber Shop • Joe Shaw • Ben Gutowski • Tom Bristow • Joseph Stelmach • Leon Hood • George Saunders • Mike Borman • Anthony Cirelli • Bob Hardy • Frank Hardy • Benny DePalma • Frank Padulla • Mike Yack • Stanley Powell • George Kroecker • A Friend • The Fox • Tom Fish
Camden Police Department 1962 Report
Unknown, John E. Opfer Jr., unknown witness. From the Camden Police Department 1962 Report.
Man Beaten, Robbed On S. Camden Street
Camden Courier-Post —
Wallace Florence, 40, of 825 Fern Street, was attacked last night and robbed of $90 on a South Camden street. Det. John Opfer said Florence reported he was leaving a house at 528 West Street when he was assaulted. He described his attacker as a tall Negro. He was treated at Cooper Hospital for face injuries.
Obituary: John E. Opfer Sr.
Camden Courier-Post —
Opfer, John E., Sr. Age 89, of Williamstown, on Monday, May 29, 2006. Mr. Opfer was born and lived in Camden before moving to Williamstown in 1960. John was a police officer for the City of Camden for over 40 years. He was a member of the South Jersey Beagle Club for many years. He enjoyed hunting and fishing.
Beloved husband of the late Marie (nee Welch). Devoted father of William (Sandra) Opfer, John (Sandra) Opfer, Jr. and Catherine (Robert) Jumpp. Loving grandfather of John III, Lisa, Katie, Brian, Derrick and Justin. Loving great-grandfather of Eric, Brandon, Alex and Ashlea.
Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing on Friday, June 2, 2006 from 10:00–11:00 AM at the Bell-Hennessy Funeral Home, 420 S. Main St., Williamstown. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM. Interment Gloucester County Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Williamstown.
Obituary: Marie L. Opfer
Camden Courier-Post —
Opfer, Marie L. (Nee Welch), of Williamstown, on Thursday, May 19, 2005. Age 82 years. Mrs. Opfer was born and raised in Camden and has been a resident of Williamstown for 46 years.
Marie was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving in WWII. She was a former Camden Police Officer. She was a member of the Monroe Twp. Republican Club. She enjoyed casinos and shopping.
Beloved wife of John E. Opfer, Sr. Dear sister of the late Madeline M. Green. Loving aunt of Judy Russell, Karen Green, Jennifer Green and Jack R. Green.
Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing on Tuesday from 10:00–11:00 AM at the Bell-Hennessy Funeral Home, 420 South Main St., Williamstown. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM at the funeral home. Interment Gloucester County Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Williamstown.