Obituary of Jean W. Ricker

BOONTON TOWNSHIP---A private family service was held for Jean W. Ricker (nee Wright) who died in her beloved Rockaway Valley home on Saturday, June 2, 2012 after a short illness. Mrs. Ricker, husband, Henry D. and their two daughters resided in Kinnelon Borough for nearly twenty years, moving to Boonton Township in 1967. She was 93 years of age and at her death was Boonton Township's oldest living native-born resident. Mrs. Ricker was a historical authority of considerable note. She grew up on Wayside Farms property, marking the 7th generation of a family legacy that inspired her life-long interest in area history and genealogy. Researchers, historical societies, churches, municipalities, and county and state agencies often sought her expertise when accurate and documented information was needed. She served as Boonton Township's historian for many years, sharing stories about the township's colorful past with young and old alike. Mrs. Ricker was a past-president of the Historical Society of Boonton Township, spearheading many projects to protect township legacy sites, properties, and buildings. Always a champion of endangered or vanishing heritage, she dedicated many hours and much energy to the grassroots effort to save "High Mountain," now a 1500 acre Morris County Park known as Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area. In 1997 she inspired Boonton Township grade school students to begin a campaign to save the old Mule Bridge Pier, a Morris Canal icon. Mrs. Ricker played an important part in the Historical Society of Boonton Township's successful effort to purchase and restore the Oscar A. Kincaid Home of History. In 2005 her meticulous research helped to earn the Kincaid house and road stand entry onto the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places. She was a former trustee of the Boonton Historical Society and also served on the board of the Rockaway Valley Cemetery Association in Boonton Township. In 1997 Mrs. Ricker was named a Morris County Living Treasure for her service to community and for her enduring effect on others. Today, the bluebird population flourishes in Boonton Township along the bluebird nest box trail she worked to establish with Mt. Tabor Boy Scout Troop 5 more than fifteen years ago. Mrs. Ricker was the last surviving member of Troop 38, Boonton Township's very first Girl Scout troop, established in 1933. Mrs. Ricker was predeceased in 1993 by her beloved husband, Henry D. Ricker of Kinnelon. Surviving are daughters, Andrea Garcia of Boonton and Gretchen Longo and her husband Richard of Boonton Township; grandchildren, Rachel L. Perrault, Amaya, Damien and Travis Garcia; and great-grandchildren Evan and Hayley Perrault. Contributions in Mrs. Ricker's memory may be made to Operation Sunshine, P.O. Box 6382, Parsippany, NJ 07054 or to one's special charity of choice. Arrangements were by Mackey Funeral Home ( www.mackeyfh.com), 107 Essex Ave., Boonton.