METUCHEN — Marty Jessen is a lot of things: a business owner, community volunteer, columnist, veteran, but he has always been a storyteller.

And many of the stories he’s been telling for decades can be found in his new book, “Marty’s Musings: Tales of the Great Depression, World War II, the Korean War, and New Jersey.”

Jessen is a columnist for The Criterion News Advertiser, and much his book is based on his columns. Former Gov. Jim Florio, who is also Jessen’s neighbor, wrote the forward.

“Marty is a deep and thoughtful observer of the human condition … someone with an observant eye for detail, with perceptive insights into everyday actions and events that are at the same time commonsensical and profound,” Florio wrote in the forward.

Though Jessen was born in Perth Amboy in 1926, he has lived in Metuchen since he was an infant.

“I like to tell stories and I like to make people smile, and you can only do so much face to face,” Jessen said of why he wrote the book.

Jessen, who is currently president of Metuchen-based Victorian Office Rentals, has played numerous civic roles in the community and volunteered for various boards. He was recently named Citizen of the Century by the YMCA of Metuchen, Edison, Woodbridge and South Amboy.

Jessen’s daughter, Nancy, was instrumental in taking his stories and columns and converting them into book format. She said she originally thought her father’s stories appealed to older people, but through her interactions with others, she has learned that his life lessons and anecdotes have an impact on readers of all ages.

“He writes in a very familiar style that’s easy to understand,” Nancy said.

Marty Jessen said it surprises him what sometimes connects with people.

“Some of them that I think are bombs, people seem very interested in,” he said of his columns. Some of his stories share his amusing antics and demonstrate his sense of humor. Jessen gave an example, sharing the story of the time when someone accidentally called his number late at night looking for a department store. As a prank, he told the caller to pick up an item he had waiting for him at the department store’s back door.

“Every once in a while the devil’s on your shoulder and you do something you wish you hadn’t,” he joked.

Nancy said her father’s combination of leading an interesting life and maintaining a good memory makes for great story fodder.

Jessen recently signed copies of his book at The Raconteur. Many visitors to the Nov. 20 event approached Jessen, wanting to share their stories with him, Nancy said.

“People really had a connection with him,” Nancy said. “He’s always been telling these stories. I’m just so glad he’s written these down.”

Much of Jessen’s history has to do with his time in the U.S. Navy Reserve, during both World War II and the Korean War, and he said he knows how hard the holidays can be when one is separated from loved ones.

“ ‘I’ll Be Home for Christmas’ was a tough song,” he said.

Nancy said she also wants to impart on others the importance of recording the stories of their elders.

“These people are a treasure chest of history. It can be enjoyable and interesting,” Nancy said. “Working with my father on his book has been the most fun I have ever had with my father.”

“Jessen’s Musings: Tales of the Great Depression, World War II, the Korean War, and New Jersey” is available in print and electronically for Kindle and Nook e-readers on Amazon.com.