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James Vandervalk Obituary
James M. Vandervalk, age 83, of Fredon, N.J., formerly of Hillsdale and Montvale, passed away suddenly on May 31, 2017 at his home.
Born in Great Neck, Long Island on April 11, 1934, he is survived by his loving bride Charlotte (nee Albracht), siblings Arnold, William, and Virginia Gantz, his sons James, Glenn, Robert - wife Jane, his daughter Claire, and nine grandchildren, James, Kevin, Joseph, Kathryn, Ryan, Michael, Payson, Anne, and Kiara.
Jim received a BS in Finance from Lehigh University in 1956, where he was President of his fraternity Phi Kappa Theta. After graduation, Jim served as a First Lieutenant in the United States Army through 1958. Throughout his successful career in finance, he managed groups in several Fortune 500 companies, including Union Carbide, Ingersoll-Rand, Verizon, Daimler Benz, and Sony. Jim was an active board member on the Oritani Bank Foundation and a previous board member of CarePlus New Jersey (formerly Mid Bergen Mental Health Center). A dedicated Catholic, he was a member of St. John the Baptist Church of Hillsdale and a more recent parishioner of Good Shepherd RC Church in Sussex County.
Jim was delighted in sharing his interests and knowledge with everyone, but most especially his grandchildren, to whom he will be greatly missed. A funeral mass will be held at St. John the Baptist Church in Hillsdale, N.J. on Monday June 5th at 10:30am. Arrangements are entrusted to the Becker Funeral Home, Westwood, N.J. Visiting hours will be held at the funeral home 4-8pm on Sunday June 4th.
In lieu of flowers, as an expression of sympathy, the family would appreciate donations to North Jersey Friendship House, 125 Atlantic Street, Hackensack, N.J. 07601, www.njfriendshiphouse.org
Becker-funeralhome.com
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Memories and Condolences
for James Vandervalk
Sponsored by Becker Funeral Home - Westwood.
Barbara Kudla
July 31, 2017
Dear Charlotte ,
My deepest Sympathy to you and your family,
Barbara Kudla CCHS "55"
John D Jackson
June 15, 2017
Charlotte, I was deeply saddened to learn of Jim's passing. He was one of the finest men I ever knew. He was also the finest boss I ever had. Jim was a colleague, a mentor, a teacher and a role model but mostly, he was a true friend and I will miss him dearly. Before anything else though, JIm had a deep and abiding love in his family. I can only imagine the grief that you and the children must be experiencing. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you in this time of sorrow.
Chris Fox
June 12, 2017
Jim was my boss for years at Bell TriCon and Tokai Bank. He taught me so much in those years that served me well in my career. He was the most honorable, truthful and principled man I ever knew and he served as a great father figure for me. I will miss Jim, but I will continue to carry his influence throughout my life.
Rod McNamara
June 4, 2017
Jim always gave me encouraging words and was always helpful and kind. I will surely miss him.
Rod McNamara
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June 3, 2017
Dear Charlotte, We are all so sorry to hear of your loss. Jim was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and all around great guy! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family!
Sincerely,
Maggie L Harrer
Suzette Gosschalk-Leverstein
June 3, 2017
Dear,dear Jim you and your family mean so much to me because I spent two very inportant years in your family coming from the war in Indonesia.
We were the same age and I got to know how to be a teenager in America and also to love baseball.
You were and you are not only my cousin, but most of all my brother. I will miss you dearly. Suzy Q (as you always called me)
June 2, 2017
James, my friend you will be missed. You were unarguably the greatest client and over time I looked to you as one of the family and a father figure. You have steered me through some tough times with my own family. Helped me navigate through the adolescence years of my children, provided me with marital advice, saw me through the loss of my wife Janine and I was fortunate to have you and Charlotte help celebrate the marriage of my beautiful wife, Ali.
We are proud of your accomplishments.
Rest in piece my friend.
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Becker Funeral Home - Westwood219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood, NJ 07675
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Becker Funeral Home - Westwood219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood, NJ 07675
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