John "Jack" VanAntwerp Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

THE FAMILY HAS STRONGLY REQUESTED FOR EVERYONE NOT TO PURCHASE FLOWERS, BUT WOULD RATHER HAVE YOU DONATE IN JACK'S MEMORY TO ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS: ST. JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL PO Box 1000, DEPT. 142 MEMPHIS, TN 38101-9908 OR TO: SHRINER'S HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org MEMORIAL VISITATION: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2020 2PM TO 4PM AND 6PM TO 8PM STICKLE-SOLTESZ FUNERAL HOME MEMORIAL MASS: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020 11AM ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE RC CHURCH 5635 BERKSHIRE VALLEY ROAD OAK RIDGE, NJ 07438 John “Jack” Van Antwerp, 77 years old, of Oak Ridge, NJ, passed away on Tuesday, January 28, 2020. Jack was born on February 13, 1942 in Hackensack, NJ to the late James and Marjorie (Crisp) Van Antwerp. He graduated from Ridgefield Park High School and Montclair State College, and maintained friendships with many of his classmates throughout his life. Jack served our country as a member of the Air National Guard during the Vietnam War. He married Barbara E. Rogers on November 20, 1966 and shortly thereafter settled in the Milton section of Jefferson Township where they raised their two sons. For 40 years, Jack was a music teacher at Valley Middle School in Oakland, where he inspired countless students with his humor, compassion, love of music, and zest for life. So many of his students remember him fondly for helping them maintain a sense of humor and perspective throughout their difficult middle school years. After he retired, Jack became an active community member; he loved playing in the Jefferson Township Community Band, singing with the High Point Harmonizers barbershop vocal group, and socializing with his many beloved friends and neighbors in Elro Park. He loved taking his dogs for leisurely walks around the neighborhood, and working in his garden, taking time to stop and share jokes and stories with everyone he encountered. Jack was a proud and dedicated father and grandfather, and loved sharing his passion for music and life with everyone in his family. He loved watching his children and grandchildren perform in concerts, plays, and sports, and he entertained all with his memorable stories. He is survived by his beloved wife Barbara, his loving sons Daniel Van Antwerp and his wife Jessica of Northampton, Pennsylvania, and David Van Antwerp and his wife Christina of Middlesex, NJ; his cherished grandchildren Andy, Megan, Laura, Max, and Nicole Van Antwerp; his dear brother Donald Van Antwerp and his wife Kathy; loving brother-in law Jack Rogers and his wife Joan of Houston, Texas, as well as several nephews and cousins. A memorial visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm at the Stickle-Soltesz Funeral Home, 187 La Rue Road, Newfoundland, NJ 07435 (For GPS use 1 Post Place). A memorial mass will take place on Thursday, February 13, 2020 at 11am at St. Thomas the Apostle RC Church, 5635 Berkshire Valley Road, Oak Ridge, NJ 07438. Final disposition will be private. The family has strongly requested for everyone not to purchase flowers, but would rather have you donate in Jack's memory to one of the following charitable organizations: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908 or to Shriner’s Hospital for Children: www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org. Log onto www.sticklesolteszfuneralhome.com tribute wall to personally post your condolences, memories, photos, and videos, as well as driving directions to the funeral home.

John "Jack" VanAntwerp

February 13, 1942 - January 28, 2020