Obituary of Jeffrey J. Furbish, Sr.

Jeffrey James Furbish, Sr., of Morris Township (formerly of Chatham Township), died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Wednesday, September 27, 2023. He was 63.

Jeff was born in Orange, NJ on March 8, 1960, to the late David Baker Furbish, Sr & Joan Emma Furbish (née Centanni). He was raised in Maplewood with his brother and sister.

Jeff was a 1978 graduate of Columbia High School where he played varsity football and ran track and field. From there he attended the United State Coast Guard Academy for one year before earning his bachelor’s degree from Upsala College in East Orange, where he studied business and statistics.

Jeff accepted a position at Prudential in Parsippany, NJ as an underwriter and during his time there he was on the company softball team. Jeff married his beloved wife, MaryEllen “Emmy” Fleming Furbish on October 13, 1985. Shortly thereafter Jeff relocated his family to North Yarmouth, Maine so he could begin a new role as underwriter for Union Mutual in Portland, Maine. Jeff and his family lived in North Yarmouth for eleven years. Where he taught his family to ski before joining a skiing team.

He served as assistant manager of sales for Unum Insurance Company of Portland Maine, for three years in Glendale, California, and manager of national sales for Unum for three years in Maryland. During his time in Glendale, he was a Boy Scout Leader. Later in his career, Jeff and his family relocated to Chatham Township when he accepted a new position as regional sales manager at Cigna Group Insurance in New York City. He later accepted a position as regional vice president and national large market leader for Guardian Life Insurance. He was currently the chief sales officer and vice president of sales for Delta Dental of New Jersey and Connecticut.

Jeff volunteered on the Chatham Township planning board for several years and coached baseball and football. He was a champion bocce player, enjoyed fishing and political debates when possible, and loved music of all sorts. He was a dedicated New York Giants & Mets fan and committed tailgater. Jeff loved the Jersey shore, and he enjoyed spending the summer months with his family at Bradley Beach. He also enjoyed grilling and smoking meat for family and friends. Jeff was fun-loving, warm, outgoing, and an avid storyteller.

Jeff is survived by his wife, MaryEllen “Emmy” Fleming Furbish; one daughter, Reagan Melissa Furbish; two sons, George Fleming Furbish and Jeffrey James Furbish II; one sister, Lisa Bianchini and her husband Gino; one brother, David Baker Furbish II and his wife Annette; and several extended family members & many dear friends.

A memorial visitation will be held for Jeff on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a 6:00 p.m. memorial service during the visiting hours at the Madison Memorial Home, 159 Main Street, Madison. A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, October 4, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Park Avenue Club, 184 Park Avenue, Florham Park, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made in Jeff’s memory to the Freedom from Religion Foundation as per his request.