Richard W. "Dick" Bastian

BASTIAN Richard "Dick" W., 85, of Holiday City South section of Berkeley Township, NJ, died Thursday March 26, 2009 at home.Born in Hackensack, NJ he resided in Old Bridge, NJ for 43 years before relocating to Holiday City South, Toms River 10 years ago. Dick really enjoyed the past 10 years in retirement in Ocean County.Mr. Bastian served in the US Navy during WWII from 1943 to 1946 as part of Fleet Air Wing 7; Radar and Radio operator aboard a PB4Y-1 Liberator (a.k.a. B24); flew out of England to cover protection of all incoming convoys as well as anti-submarine surveillance in the English Channel, Bay of Biscay and N. Atlantic. His fleet was under command of the RAF Coastal Command. He was a carpenter and a member of Local #15 in Bergen County since 1941. Mr. Bastian had many interests, he played Ice Hockey till his mid-60s, went skiing till his mid-70s, bicycling till his mid-80s and also sailing till his mid-80s. Predeceased by his brother Edward Bastian and his sister Grace Bastian MD. Surviving is his wife Janet C. (nee Meyerer). Three sons, Barry and his wife Barbara of Manchester, NJ, Donald and his wife Andrea of Wescosville, PA and Robert and his wife Cathleen of Toms River, NJ. Six grandchildren, Pamela Molochko-Langdon, Brian, Michelle, Amy, Michael, and Anna Bastian. Three great-grandchildren Lilly-Belle, Maxfield, and Jasper. A sister-in-law Lois Bastian and a brother-in-law M. Mark Mendel. Also his niece Susan, whom he regarded as his daughter, dear friend, and companion cyclist. Susan provided invaluable support to the family throughout his battle with illness.Dick was a very loving husband for 60 years and good father to his family. A Memorial Gathering will be offered Saturday, April 4th, 2009 from 1 PM until a 2 PM Memorial Service at The Timothy E. Ryan Home for Funerals, 145 St. Catherine Blvd., Toms River, NJ. Contributions may be made to Van Dyke Hospice, 99 Rt. 37 West, Toms River, NJ 08755. Condolences may be sent by visiting www.ryanfuneralhome.com