Jonathan Oliver Bakelaar

Jonathan Oliver Bakelaar was born in Rochester, NY, and grew up in Little Falls, NJ, and Manahawkin, NJ. He graduated Southern Regional High School and attended Arizona State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture. He worked for ASU for a number of years as an irrigation specialist before returning to Manahawkin in 2020. He continued to work in landscape irrigation, where he was a dedicated and beloved member of his work crew. He passed on July 8, 2025 at the age of 40. He will be remembered for his love of nature and his way of putting people at ease. He was a loving son, uncle, brother, cousin, and nephew, and will be missed by his friends and family.