Endel Uiga was born on March 3, 1918 in Tallin, Estonia to Josep and Adele (Sabbi) Uiga. He was predeceased by his parents, a younger brother, his wife of 68 years Elise (Miitra) Uiga his eldest daughter Ann Uiga Varnik.

He is survived by two sons Henry (& Charlene) Uiga; Ants (& Marsha) Uiga and two daughters, Linda Hughes and Eve (& Herb) Laeger. He has seven Grandchildren: Karin, Karl, Kristjan, Andrea, Daniel, Brian and Colleen. Nine Greatgrandchildren completed his family.

This proud Estonian American graduated from Tallin Technical University in the late 1930s. He was forced to leave Estonia when Russians broke through in World War II. In addition to his wife and daughter, he helped many people flee to safety in Germany. While there, he completed his Doctoral thesis at the University of Stuttgart.

Endel and Elise had two sons in Germany. The family moved to United States in 1949 and lived in Saratoga Springs. Endel worked as a green house helper until he was able to pursue his chosen field of Electrical Engineering at Ballentine Laboratories for 18 years. Twin girls completed the family in Rockaway, N.J. In 1982, he taught a course at the County College of Morris. He also wrote a textbook OPTO ELECTRONICS for the course.

Endel’s legacy reflects his impact on many circle of friends. He stayed active with Estonian Americans and Estonians in his home country which he visited many times. He was part of the Eesti Rooma Klubi an Estonian Think Tank. He actively played bridge at the Shadow Fax Bridge Club. For his 100th birthday, he served a tour guide for the Leuchten Family’s Spring Break to Tallin and was recognized and participated in the Estonian Centennial celebration. Endel enjoyed discussing world affairs and politics with friends in his sauna. He valued education and was proud that all of his children and grandchildren recieved college degrees. His love of photography produced volumes of pictures and images and his book MINDSCAPES He enjoyed classical music, skiing, playing tennis and ironworking. The family enjoyed spending the summers at a cottage designed and built by Endel and friends at Lake Bomoseen, VT. With the help of Meredith Betz, he wrote his memoirs WHERE THE LIGHT COMES FROM ONEHUNDRED YEARS LOOKING BACK. His alert and vibrant mind allowed him to complete an interview with an Estonian museum just two days before his passing. Endel certainly completed an exciting life well lived.

The family would like to acknowledge Bentley Commons at Paragon Village for providing a caring place for him to live. A very special thanks goes out to the Grace Health Care Services for their exceptional compassionate and loving hospice care which Endel received in his final days.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 28, 2024 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Cochran Funeral Home in Hackettstown, New Jersey. A private burial will be held at a later time. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St. Jude Childrens’Research Hospital.