John VanSant Obituary
David is preceded in death by his parents, his older sister June, and his loving wife Lonnie who passed away in 2015.
David spent his early years in Lawrence Harbor and then spent the rest of his childhood growing up and enjoying living along a lagoon in Lanoka Harbor, NJ. David was a Piney, a surfer, and a mountain man! But mostly just a great guy.
David was blessed with four beautiful daughters: Christine, Coleen, Rachel and Andrea. He was fortunate to have had 9 grandchildren and one great grandchild. David was also adored by his mother-in-law Judith Shustin and his father-in-law who also preceded him in death.
After his marriage to Lonnie they raised their girls in the Poconos in a great old house that he was always working on! David, always having a true loving bond with his entire family, grabbed the role of being Mom, Dad, Pop Pop and Grandma. David loved all his nieces and nephews unconditionally and made sure they knew it. Not only a loving family man, he was a loyal friend to all he knew. He was a life-long member of the Buzzards and was there for every team member.
David was an expert carpenter, building homes and doing renovations all over the country. He also worked in the insurance business, helping so many during major catastrophes from Hurricane Katrina to California fires.
His sisters, brothers, cousins and friends will miss him dearly. His daughters and grandchildren will miss him beyond measure, but they will carry on with the love and strength he instilled in them.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
donald collins
December 29, 2024
Costa Rica fishing trip
donald collins
December 29, 2024
On
Kathy VanSant
September 27, 2024
Love & Miss you So Much!! Happy Birthdave!!
Tessa VanSant
June 26, 2024
the last thing my grandfather ever said to me was "you are my purple" at first it didn´t mean anything to me. then he passed, and i looked up the meaning of purple or what it symbolizes. and it means royalty, power, ambition, kindness, and so much more. He was my grandfather, but also my dad because i never had one. i would have never been able to go to daddy daughter dances, i would have never known what it was like to have a male roll model. and he was the perfect roll model. i love my poppop and i will always and forever be HIS purple.
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Judith Shustin
March 13, 2024
David called me "mom". It was a privilege to know him for over 40 years. I was his mother-in- law. My husband and I called him son. He was a loving and loyal husband to our beloved Lonnie, and always there for his children Rachel and Andrea and his grandchildren Alexander, Tessa and Tyson. He was the bedrock of the family. A man who gave freely of himself. A talented and creative builder, truly spiritual and always searching for knowledge of nature. He had a lifelong fascination with ancient rocks. We shared a special kinship that I will always treasure. I loved him , and I miss him.
Raymond Truitt
March 11, 2024
The VanSant's and Truitt's were closer than most families since my aunt and uncle, and my mom and dad were bothers and sisters. Which ment we were more closely related. We spent many holidays together. I learned to swim in the lagoon behind their house.
Henry Shustin
March 11, 2024
Dave and I shared a lot. We were born the same year. He married my sister Lonnie. Our kids were around the same age and all grew up together with the lake as a center. But I think what bound us in a special way was our common love for my dad, and his love for us. Boy, did dad love Dave. It was hard to tell sometimes who was number one son, but that only made me love him more like a brother. We had a bond that will never be again for me. It leaves a hole in my heart.
Kathy
March 10, 2024
Kathy
March 10, 2024
Janel Tongay
March 10, 2024
David was my brother in law, married to my sister, Lonnie. He was a husband, father, uncle and grandfather and a big part of our family, although I hadn´t seen him since he moved to Tennessee years ago. David redesigned and built my parent"s house Lake Hopatcong, a home appreciated and enjoyed by generations He was so very talented and understood and respected quality. He was a special man who lived an honest and authentic life, appreciated the natural world; he was a searcher. He loved and was loved by family and friends; truly a life well lived. I am sad he is gone- too soon - and he will be missed.
donald collins
March 10, 2024
I first met John David, that's what I always called him, working a storm in Columbia, S.C. around 1995 where we immediately made friends. It was easy making friends with him. I was relatively new to adjusting and he was always willing to help. Over the years we stayed in touch and one of my fondest visits he brought Willy he adored and mentored. John David loved rock hounding my property there. I and so many others will miss him dearly. He was one of the GOOD GUYS.
Kathy VanSant
March 10, 2024
I will cherish the memory of my brother David. He was more than a brother he was my friend too. I will miss him greatly. David was a very loving and thoughtful guy and a lot of FUN. My sincere sympathy goes out to his girls & his grandchildren. He will be missed by our entire family and endless friends. I love you David, you will be in my heart always.
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