Charles Mossbrucker, 75, principal, singer

Charles F. Mossbrucker, 75, of Mullica Hill, an auto mechanic who went on to be vice principal of the Gloucester County Vocational Technical School and an accomplished singer, died of bladder cancer Monday at home.

Mr. Mossbrucker had three loves: his faith, his family, and his aqua 1932 Ford Roadster, which he rebuilt three times, said his wife, Janet.

After receiving bachelor's and master's degrees in vocational education from Glassboro State College in the early 1970s, Mr. Mossbrucker started working as an auto-mechanics teacher at Gloucester County Vocational Technical School.

He moved up the faculty ladder and became coordinator of the auto-mechanics department before becoming vice principal, his family said.

In 1986, Mr. Mossbrucker left Gloucester to be principal at the Atlantic County Vocational Technical School in Mays Landing, where he worked until his retirement in 1996.

As principal, Mr. Mossbrucker was known as a strict leader, his wife said. In retirement, when he ran into former students, "they said they appreciated what he did for them," she recalled.

Mr. Mossbrucker was born and raised in Swedesboro, and by age 10, he was a dedicated member of Evangelical United Methodist Church in Clarksboro.

As a teenager, he had a tremendous voice, so he joined his father in an Audubon barbershop chorus and quartet. Soon, Mr. Mossbrucker, his father, and two brothers became the Three Lads and a Dad quartet. The Mossbruckers performed at Fourth of July picnics and other small festivals in nearby towns, Janet Mossbrucker said.

He later joined other quartets, usually singing baritone, his wife said.

Mr. Mossbrucker graduated from Swedesboro High School in 1952 and enlisted in the Navy Reserve.

He worked as an auto mechanic before being called into active duty in 1957, said his wife, whom he married in 1956. For three years, Mr. Mossbrucker worked as a mechanic, mostly on blimps, at the Naval Air Engineering Station at Lakehurst.

After the Navy, Mr. Mossbrucker returned to school to become a mechanics teacher.

In retirement, he devoted his time to his hot rod and helped start the Rolling Rods Car Club in Vineland, N.J., his wife said.

Though Mr. Mossbrucker held many leadership positions throughout his life, he was modest - not too quiet or too loud, those who knew him said. At least one topic got Mr. Mossbrucker fired up.

"Get him talking about cars, and he could talk forever," his wife said with a laugh.

For 25 years, Mr. Mossbrucker was the lay leader of his church. He also helped start Bible studies and choirs and was the church's music director for many years.

"He lived out his faith day by day, not just on Sundays," Pastor Gary Turk said.

In the last couple of years, health issues forced Mr. Mossbrucker to cut back his church work, but until a few weeks before he died he still led a men's Bible study, Turk said.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Mossbrucker is survived by his sons, Fred, Jeff, and Carl; seven grandchildren; and a brother.

Friends may call from 6 to 9 tonight at the McBride-Foley Funeral Home, 228 W. Broad St., Paulsboro, and after 9 a.m. tomorrow at Evangelical United Methodist Church, 14 W. Cohawkin Rd., Clarksboro, where a funeral will begin at 10. Burial will be in Eglington Cemetery, Clarksboro.