Adrian Van Zweden, age 99, of North Haledon, passed Wednesday, November 7, 2018.

He was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and lived in Passaic, New Jersey, Wallington, Wayne, and West Milford before moving to North Haledon sixteen years ago. He was a graduate of the Passaic High School’s Class of 1937.

A few years after he graduated high school the United States became involved in World War II, and in 1941 Adrian joined the United States Navy.  He was Honorably Discharged on January 11, 1946, from the Navy having attained the rank of Chief Yeoman.  He was awarded the European Theatre Medal, the American Defense Medal, WWII Victory Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the American Theatre Medal for his service.

Adrian continued his education, under the G.I. Bill, at Newark State College where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Education with the Class of 1949. He would go on to achieve his Masters Degree in Education from New York University in New York City in 1952 and his Certificate of Administration from Rutgers University.  He first taught for the Montclair Board of Education for six years and moved to the Wayne Board of Education where he taught for eleven years and served an additional eighteen years as an administrator for the Wayne Township Board of Education before retiring in 1984.

After retirement Adrian remained involved in the field of education by his volunteer activities.  After the passing of his wife of 61 years, Adrian’s life brightened when he met his beloved companion of the rest of his years, Eunice Broersma, on an outing in 2004.  They loved to travel and took several trips to Alaska, the Panama Canal and the Canadian Rockies.  On these trips, Adrian would play his harmonica for anyone who would listen.  With Eunice as his assistant, Adrian began visiting elementary schools to teach students about rocks and minerals, magnetism and electricity.  In 2012, Adrian was presented with the Daughters of American Revolution Community Service Award for his volunteer teaching at the Eastern Christian Elementary.  Eunice and her daughter Beverly surprised Adrian with a 95th birthday party attended by his family, grandchildren, and over 100 of his friends including six teachers he hired in 1966.  In his later years, Adrian enjoyed painting floral and boating scenes.

Adrian was a member and former Deacon of the Ebenezer Netherland Reformed Church in Franklin Lakes.  He served as President of the New Jersey Industrial Arts Association and as Director of the Wayne Chamber of Commerce for eight years.

He was the loving husband of the late Audrey (Lendick) Van Zweden (d. 2003); devoted father of John Van Zweden (Mary Lee) of Ormond Beach, FL, Robert Van Zweden (Karen) of West Milford; loved brother of the late Jacob Van Zweden and his late wife Alice, the late Joseph Van Zweden and his surviving wife Marrie of Sioux Center, IA, Jackie Rozeboom and her surviving husband William of Inwood, IA, the late Kees Van Zweden and his late wife Mabel, and the late Jane Friesema and her late husband John; much loved grandfather of Patty Kulenski and her husband Art, Cheryl Van Zweden, Christina Hockenberry and  her husband Nathan, John Van Zweden, and Janelle Van Zweden, and devoted companion to Eunice Broersma.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Netherlands Reformed Church Benevolent Fund, 875 Ewing Avenue, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417 would be appreciated.