James J. Van Gelder

James Van Gelder, 77, world traveler, teacher, woodworker, beloved friend

James John Van Gelder, 77, of Merchantville, N.J., died in his home on Thursday, June 16, 2016, of secondary causes from post-polio syndrome.

Jim was born in Midland Park, NJ on April 22, 1939, the second son of the late Florence and Arthur Van Gelder Sr. He was a cranky baby and the #2 son (#1 being the late Arthur Van Gelder, Jr). At the age of five, he contracted polio and missed 110 days of his kindergarten year.

He loved to travel and after graduating from Pompton Lakes High School, he drove across country in his 1951 Nash, and later traveled extensively by motorcycle and car throughout the country.

Jim returned to New Jersey and worked at the Ridgewood Camera Shop for ten years, put himself through Montclair State College, then obtained a master's degree in special education from Trenton State College. He taught special education in the Valley Day School and wood working as an industrial arts teacher at Moorestown Middle School.

Jim maintained lifelong contact with many of his students and had more lifetime friends than most people have acquaintances. His kindness, sincere interest in others, loyalty, and neighborliness were unsurpassed. Jim was also an avid reader on a wide variety of subjects, an accomplished wood carver and photographer. He will be lovingly remembered by all that knew him.

He is survived by his daughter Julianna and her husband Christopher Visco as well as their children Serafina and Leonora who perpetuate his legacy of picky eating.

All services are private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim's name may be made to the Achilles Fund at http://tinyurl.com/achillesvangelder. Arrangements by the GASKILL-BROWN FUNERAL HOME, Merchantville. www.gaskillbrown.com

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