Carl Zeitz, longtime journalist, public servant, and devoted Bordentown resident, passed away peacefully on March 1, at the age of 83.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, he was the son of Abraham and Ann Zeitz. He was raised in Brooklyn and Island Park, New York, in a household that valued education, public service, and strong opinions about politics and baseball. His father served as a fundraising director for Yeshiva University, and his mother was a professor of nursing at Hunter College. Carl graduated from Hobart College in 1964 with a B.A.
Shortly after graduation, he served two years in the United States Army. After his military service, he began his career in journalism at the Providence Journal in Rhode Island, covering local politics. In 1968 he joined the Associated Press, first in Newark and later as AP Bureau Chief in Trenton, where he covered New Jersey politics, particularly the governor’s office and state legislature. He later joined The Record (Bergen Record) as its chief state political reporter and columnist in Trenton.
In 1980 he was appointed by Governor Brendan Byrne to the New Jersey Casino Control Commission and was reappointed by Governor Thomas Kean in 1983, serving until 1988. After leaving public service, he founded his own public relations firm, Riverfront Associates, based in Trenton.
Carl and his wife, the late Elaine Bagan Zeitz, lived in Brooklyn Heights for several years, then briefly in Levittown, Pennsylvania, before moving to Bordentown, New Jersey, in 1975. In Bordentown, he and Elaine raised their family and became fixtures in the community, forming friendships that lasted decades. He later moved to Lawrence Township and most recently resided at Brandywine Serenade in Princeton.
He served as a member and later chair of the Bordentown Library Association, helping guide the library through a significant physical expansion and its affiliation with the Burlington County Library system.
An avid consumer of American literature and history, Carl was also a lifelong baseball fan — first of the Brooklyn Dodgers and, after their move west, the New York Mets. He took up golf after settling in Bordentown and remained a devoted enthusiast of classic film and the American songbook.
He is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law: Josh and Angela Zeitz of Hoboken, New Jersey and Nate and Alyson Zeitz of Seattle, Washington; and his beloved grandchildren, Lily and Naomi Zeitz, and Elliot and Sydney Zeitz. He took great pride in following his grandchildren’s academic and athletic accomplishments.
Known for a gruff exterior that masked deep loyalty and affection, Carl had a dry and unmistakable sense of humor. He valued family, long friendships, spirited debate, and the life he built in the town he came to call home.
Funeral services are private. Burial will be at Bordentown Cemetery in Bordentown, NJ.
Memorial contributions may be made to Jewish Federation of Princeton Mercer Bucks and to PEI Kids
Funeral arrangements are by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel. OrlandsMemorialChapel.com/Carl-Zeitz
My deepest condolences to the Zeitz family. While Carl and I only worked together for a short time at Policy Management and Communications, I always benefitted from his wisdom, kindness and a number of rounds of golf. He will be greatly missed by all the lives he touched and enriched.
Dear Josh and Nate,
Please accept my sincere condolences on the death of you father. You two and your beautiful families were the great joys of his life. Carl was a wonderful mentor and friend to me. I shall miss him.
With sympathy and friendship,
Debbie Bozarth
As a journalist, Carl and I became fast friends when he joined the Casino Control Commission back in 1980 and it was a friendship that lasted over 45 years. We spoke for the final time just two weeks ago – about our respective health, families and politics/current events. I am greatly saddened at his passing. But I am thankful that he is now at peace. My condolences to his entire family. May his memory be a blessing.
– Dan Heneghan
I am a Hobart buddy . I was a year ahead – Class of 63. We were fast friends.
We met at least annually ( sometimes more) with two other college pals and laughed at the shared memories from those ancient days. I will miss Carl’s passion about politics and our meetings. My sincerest condolences on your loss.
Richard Salzman
I worked with Carl in the earliest days of casino gaming – he with the Commission and me with the Division of Gaming Enforcement. His service on that body was exemplary – always performed with integrity, intelligence and class. We stayed friendly throughout the years. Over the past few years we shared lunches that were filled with discussions of sports, politics and philosophy. I always learned something. He will be missed. My wife, Ronnie and I send our sincere condolences.
I was friends with Carl in college and in retirement when we met quarterly with a few classmates for reunion lunches. I remember him as a man of acute intellect, good values, great curiosity, a warm heart and strong feelings of loyalty to friends and family. He was a passionate student of history to the very end of his life.
Josh, I am saddened to learn this news (especially because I am an ocean away and unable to share in the farewell services). I met your dad when he was AP bureau chief at the State House (back in the day when there was a “press row” in the State House) and I was a junior rookie Senate aide during the halcyon days of Brendan Byrne. He was an awesome journalist, fair and unintimidated.
Hope you are well.
Jeff Laurenti