Peter Elz, 76, Member Of N.J. Youth Soccer Hall Of Fame, Order Of Merlin

BRICK, NJ — A celebration of life has been scheduled for Friday for Peter Michael Elz, a Brick Township resident who was deeply involved in soccer and a longtime magician, who died Sunday, Aug. 27, at Ocean Medical Center in Brick. He was 76.

Mr. Elz was employed as a mason and was the owner and operator of Deluxe Masons of Brick, but he also was an active member of and contributor to multiple clubs and organizations.

He was a magician and began performing while he lived in Germany, bringing his sleight of hand prowess to the United States when he moved here in October 1964. In the mid-1970s The Zaubermeister of Illusions (German for magic master) became a reality, and Mr. Elz and his family performed in local schools, at the Earle Ammunition Depot, for the Girl Scouts, at the Laurelton and Lavallette fire houses, in numerous restaurants, the Brick Ice House, and at the PNC Bank Arts Center (then the Garden State Arts Center) for the German Heritage Festival.

Mr. Elz was a member of the Society of American Magicians, The Linking Ring, and the International Brotherhood of Magicians, and was inducted into the Order of Merlin, where he received the Order of Merlin Shield award in 2008 for 35 years of continuous membership in the International Brotherhood of Magicians.

"Peter would never share the secret unless you guessed and then, just maybe he would confirm, but don’t bet on it — the magician’s oath," his family said in his obituary on the Herbertsville Colonial Funeral Home website.

Mr. Elz's other passion was soccer — "Fussball!" He coached the Drum Point Falcons, was a member of the New York Cosmos Satellites, became a USSF referee assessor, assigner and instructor, sat on the New Jersey Youth Soccer State Cup committee. He served as the president of the Jersey Coast Youth Soccer League, and was inducted into the NJ Youth Soccer Hall of Fame in 2010. He was still an active referee and refereed men’s over-40 games as late as Spring 2017. "If you happened to walk into the house, a game was always on!" his family said.

Mr. Elz also worked with the Special Olympics with Werner Roth, his family said.

Mr. Elz was a former member of the Brick Gun Club, and a member of the National Rifle Association and the Central Jersey Rifle and Pistol Club. He assisted at numerous events such as All Gun Day and Woman on Target. "Peter always talked about how important safety was and taught his children and grandchildren if there is a gun in someone’s house, don’t touch it and get out!" his family said.

Staying close to his German roots and culture, Peter was a member of The Deutsche Club Clark, Lakewood Mennechoir, and a member and officer of the German Heritage Council. He gave countless hours and dedicated his service to the annual German Heritage Festivals at The Garden State Arts Center.

"At home, conversations often were a conversation of both German and English," his family said. When Mr. Elz wasn’t working and taking care of his family, he loved to fish, but only from the shore as he experienced seasickness, which was ironic since he and his wife and their first child arrived to the United States on a ship from Germany, his family said.

Mr. Elz was born in Eilsleben, Germany, and moved to the United States in October 1964. He lived in Atlantic Highlands before moving to Brick 50 years ago. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 53 years, Magdalena (Mischke) Elz in 2016. He is survived by his loving children, Gabriele A. Garner and her husband, Walter, of Abingdon, MD; Susanne M. Faro and her husband, William, of Ridgefield Park; and Peter W. Elz of Point Pleasant; his cherished grandchildren, Walter Peter Garner, Zachary Peter Elz and Rhiannon Margaret Faro; and several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 1 at Herbertsville Colonial Funeral Home, 1045 Sally Ike Road, Brick. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, Sept. 1 at 8:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment is private.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made in Peter’s honor to the GoFundme campaign set up for a memorial bench at the Point Pleasant Beach boardwalk in Mr. Elz's honor, or to the Melanoma Research Foundation, 1411 K Street, NW Suite 800, Washington, DC 20005 (www.melanoma.org).

To send condolences to the family, please go to: www.colonialfuneralgroup.com.

Photo via Herberstville Colonial Funeral Home, candle image via Shutterstock