Herbert Cause began his life's journey on Tuesday, April 10th, 1928, in Glen Cove, Long Island. He was granted eternal life on Thursday, March 6th, 2025. Peacefully. At home.
He was one of four children born of the union between Annie Irene (nee Monfort) and Joseph Cause. After the death of Joseph, Annie Irene raised Herbert and his siblings until she died in 1942. It was then that her sister, Maude Hopkins stepped in.
Although an adventurous and mischievous child, Herbert was no stranger to hard work. At the age of 9 years old, Herbert worked at a local Greek restaurant washing dishes. It was there that he learned how to cook and bake. Feeding people became a lifelong joy of his.
In 1943 at the age of 15, Herbert began working for Dick Cooke in Cooke's Garage as a mechanic. This was a vocation he would come to practice for the next 75 years. Other jobs he eventually held included driving tractor trailers, working as a handyman and greens keeper at a local golf course, and driving a lumber truck for a local lumber yard. But no matter how busy he was, Herbert always made time to ride his beloved motorcycle. At the age of 21, Herb, as he was affectionately known, married Betty Elizabeth (nee Garner). In 1957 their daughter Connie Marie was born.
After the dissolution of his first marriage, Herb moved to New Jersey in 1963. On April 10th, 1966, he and second wife, Planet Ann (nee Moody) moved to Apple Street in what is now known as Tinton Falls. They raised their three daughters: Connie, Marcie (Bridget) and Crystal there until 1981.
During those early years in New Jersey, Herb was employed at Midland Glass. He next worked as a mechanic at Kitson’s Chevrolet and then Rassas Pontiac car dealerships. The 1970s saw Herb realize his dream of being his own boss as he struck out on his own. Adept at automotive repair and body work, he quickly garnered a reputation for being a great mechanic with fair prices. After some time, Herb purchased his own tow truck, responding to calls from area police for assistance with accidents night and day. Eventually he chose to concentrate solely on fixing cars. It was a decision he stuck to for the rest of his professional life. Decades later after retiring, he worked for Cofer’s Funeral Home from 2000-2020.
While living on Apple Street, he loved gardening, landscaping, hunting, and fishing. He kept multiple fish tanks and multiple pets. Not just cats and dogs, but rabbits, turtles, birds, and eels. Throughout the years his enduring loves were boating with friends, hosting family gatherings, and manning the grill at family cookouts.
Ever the social creature, Herb also enjoyed the camaraderie and fellowship of a few organizations. In the late 70s he joined Bates Lodge #120 in Red Bank. In 1978 he joined Pine Brook Volunteer Fire Company #1 in Tinton Falls. He joined the Shriners in 1985, rising to the level of 32° Mason and Past Patron of his chapter’s Eastern Stars.
Herb joined Calvary Baptist Church in Red Bank in 1982. He served as past president of the Male Chorus, 14 years on the Trustee Board and over 2 decades as the church’s sexton. It was there on August 22, 1987, that Herb and Alice Hill exchanged vows.
On November 13th, 2022, Herb joined First Baptist Church in Belmar. Being reunited with so many former members of Calvary there made attending First Baptist feel like coming home.
Pop-Pop, as Herbert was lovingly known, leaves to cherish his memory 3 daughters; Connie Smith and husband Lorenza Smith, Bridget Johnson-Cause, Crystal Jones and husband Claude Jones, Sr., 9 grandchildren; Claude Jones Jr. and wife Nicole, Tiffany Jones and Joseph Sottile, Terrell Jones and wife Autumn, Jordan Cause, Alecia Jenkins and husband Corey, Michael Smith, Connie Brisco and husband Rodney, Bryan Smith, Jamel Smith and wife Nikita, 24 great-grandchildren, 3 stepchildren; Patricia Hill, Milton Hill and Theresa Hooper, 2 daughters of the heart; Judy Schimpf and Alicia Jacocks, his brother Radford James Cause (Glen Cove), his niece Beverly Plummer (South Carolina), and a host of very special friends.
