Richard Charles Jaeger, A Beloved Member of ILA Local 1804-1, and Brother-In-Law Of International ILA President Harold J. Daggett, Passes Away At 79 In Fredon, New Jersey
NORTH BERGEN, NJ – (March 17, 2024) Richard Charles Jaeger, the brother-in-law to International Longshoremen’s Association President Harold J. Daggett, whose remarkable professional life saw him work in a wide range of occupations including as a longshoreman and member of ILA Local 1804-1 to serving a ministry with his wife, Bettejane Dorothy Daggett, with their church, including missionary work in Africa, passed away on Friday, March 15th at age 79 with his three daughters at his side. One of his daughters, Mary-Elizabeth Jaeger, serves on the Executive Staff with the ILA in North Bergen, NJ.
“The Daggett and Jaeger families are heartbroken at the loss of my brother-in-law and longtime friend, Richard Jaeger,” said ILA President Harold Daggett. “From the moment he married my late sister, BetteJane, on January 24, 1970, Richard Jaeger was a valued member of our family, loved by everyone for his kindness, his devotion to family and faith and his infectious generous spirit.”
ILA President Daggett further described Richard Jaeger as a devoted father to his three daughters, Janine, Dawn, and Mary-Elizabeth; his two grandsons Ryan and Austin and six granddaughters, Justine, Devyn, Leah, Summer, Audrey, and Noelle.
Richard Charles Jaeger was born on September 13th, 1944, to Charles Jaeger & Julia Jaeger (nee Boyko) in Astoria Queens, New York. On January 24th, 1970, he married the love of his life, Bettejane Dorothy Daggett, and they eventually settled in Sparta, NJ, where they raised their three daughters, Janine, Dawn, & Mary-Elizabeth.
Richard was a jack of all trades, he could do & fix anything. He started off his vocational life working with AT&T and moved on to work as an insurance and real estate agent. He then started his journey as a longshoreman with the ILA, Local 1804-1 in the 1970s. In 1992, Richard and his family relocated to Tulsa, Oklahoma. While living there, Richard & Bettejane graduated from the Victory Bible Institute with their degrees in ministry. After receiving his Victory Bible Institute diploma, Richard served in many different areas of ministry with their church and abroad as he undertook a mission trip to Africa. Richard & Bettejane spent time living in North Carolina & New Jersey to be close to their daughters and grandchildren.
Richard was predeceased by his loving wife, Bettejane (Daggett) Jaeger, in April of 2020. He was also predeceased by his parents, Charles & Julia Jaeger, and his siblings, Charles Jaeger and Maryann Updyke. He is survived by his three daughters, Janine Jaeger Dowler (Paul), Dawn Jaeger Guerrini (Darren) and Mary Elizabeth Jaeger (Todd Milliken); two grandsons, Ryan and Austin; six granddaughters, Justine, Devyn, Leah, Summer, Audrey, and Noelle, along with nieces & nephews and extended family & friends that he loved deeply.
Richard was a family man who put God first in all things. These are a few of the activities Richard loved the most: Singing and dancing with his wife, daughters, and grandchildren; utilizing his creativity with handyman projects around the house, woodwork, engineering, and art; spending time walking in nature; having a good laugh with anyone and everyone around; telling stories of his family, childhood, and God; praising his Lord and savior, Jesus Christ & sharing the Gospel; and making joyful memories with those he loved.
Richard was a leader and a rock for his family, always encouraging them in their faith and bringing endless positivity and unconditional love to every moment. He always had the perfect words to say in times of hardship and offered compassionate guidance in every situation. Richard was a fighter, worshiping God through the end. He never gave up. Richard will be dearly missed, but his enduring love, unwavering faith, and vibrant spirit continues to live on through his family and the countless hearts he has touched.
A memorial celebration of Richard & Bettejane will be held at Goble Funeral Home, Wednesday, March 20th from 3pm – 7pm. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11AM Thursday, March 21st at Our Lady of the Lake Church 294 S. Sparta Ave., Sparta, NJ.
Obituary: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/sparta-nj/richard-jaeger-11715031