Loving and very loved husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

Bruce Laurence Ziegler "Coach" has made his journey back to heaven.

On the morning of Labor Day 9/7/2026 in a peaceful sleep with Frank Sinatra playing in the background, our loving and very loved husband, father, and grandfather returned home to his waiting mother Muriel "Mimi" and father Charles "Chief" Ziegler.

Bruce is remembered most as a guy that could light up a room and always brought a good laugh out of those in his company.

Notoriously the straight man, often one couldn't tell whether he was serious or just joking, it was his delivery that was his signature.

In his younger years playing football from high school into the pro level, garnering accolades, records, and championships along his sports career.

Later shifting to teaching and coaching where he was most proud of his NJ Teacher of the Year award for his progressive health education teaching.

Many knew him as the always tanned, curly haired body builder guy that ran around the family's 2 northern NJ Town Tavern restaurants greeting patrons, cleaning, and refreshing the salad bars and buffets.

His energy and good attitude was always up beat and next level.

Often remebered for his work ethic and amazing energy, waking up at 3AM for his gym workouts, then travelling to school to teach, then on to one of the family restaurants to finish out his day. His passing on Labor Day morning seemed almost fitting and poetic, it was his day of final rest.

Later in his life as his family grew, when time permitted he very much enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren Codte, Hunter, Sierra, and Brianna which he loved them all very much. Although not always evident, they were his great joy.

He and wife Judy retired in Florida where they hosted family holiday's and enjoyed time with their sons Jimmy and Darryle and their grandchildren.

In his final years he battled Alzheimer's / Dementia which ultimately lead to his passing. It's firmly believed that it was his upbeat good nature that kept him from the dark side of the disease.