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June 1, 2014
Services
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Saturday, June 14, 2014 from 2-4 PM. A memorial service will follow at 4 PM Saturday, at the funeral home.
Wilfred J. Branthwaite, age 87 of Pompton Lakes, died peacefully in his home on Sunday, June 1, 2014. He had lived in Pompton Lakes since 1949.
Wilfred was raised in Clifton and also enjoyed a portion of his childhood in California. He was proud to have been the Pompton Lakes Borough tree surgeon for many years while running his own business; Mercury Tree Service.
During his years in California he spent a great deal of time with his Native American uncle, Jim. Uncle Jim shared many Native American traditions with Wilfred, including hunting, fishing, and he taught him about his spiritual connection with nature. Throughout his life, Wilfred nurtured his Native American spirituality and was proud to have been embraced by the Ramapough Lenape Nation here in New Jersey.
After high school, Wilfred was drafted into the US Army. Upon his discharge he set out doing what he loved; racing motorcycles. He was an expert racer, riding Harley-Davidsons, Indians and custom built bikes on flat tracks, short tracks, and TT’s. He loved racing and has a house full of trophies to prove his skill. He also loved fishing both in fresh water and out at sea. He fixed up a Glastron some years back which had become a labor of love. When he finally got the engines running on the boat, all the neighbors in his lagoon let out a cheer! He and his wife Marian reminded everyone of Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn, so when the time came to choose a name for his boat, the choice was obvious; “African Queen.” He loved taking that boat out to go fishing and he taught himself how to navigate, always making his way back home safely. He also owned coon dogs, bird dogs, was an accomplished archer, and at the age of 70 he decided to try skydiving. He loved it and proceeded to go several more times after that first jump. Life was never dull for Wilfred and he liked to do exciting things. He didn’t need a ‘bucket list’ because he had done everything he ever wanted to do.
Wilfred met his wife Marian (Garbaccio) in the late 1940’s. Marian’s mother introduced them and insisted that her daughter go on a date with Wilfred. He used his father's Buick and took her for a splendid dinner in Manhattan, where they were serenaded by musicians in the restaurant. They married on August 28, 1949 and honeymooned at Ocean Beach, on the Jersey Shore. They arrived late to their rented cottage only to find the door locked and other people’s belongings inside. Wilfred was so angry that he broke the lock and made himself at home. The next day he went to the rental office to complain, only to find out that he had gone to the wrong cottage! Nevertheless, they enjoyed sixty five years together in a loving marriage.
Wilfred is survived by his wife Marian of Pompton Lakes, his three children; Linda Clapp and her husband Richard of Hilton Head, SC, Ike Branthwaite and his wife Cary of North Carolina, and Leslie Drucks and her husband Brian of Randolph, NJ, six grandchildren; Brian Jacobs, Greg Roper, Aimee Rosenfelder, Ron McBain, Chloe Drucks, and Hannah Branthwaite, and one great-grandchild; Joie Stoltzfus.
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Saturday, June 14, 2014 from 2-4 PM. A memorial service will follow at 4 PM Saturday, at the funeral home.
June 1, 2014
Services
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Saturday, June 14, 2014 from 2-4 PM. A memorial service will follow at 4 PM Saturday, at the funeral home.
Wilfred J. Branthwaite, age 87 of Pompton Lakes, died peacefully in his home on Sunday, June 1, 2014. He had lived in Pompton Lakes since 1949.
Wilfred was raised in Clifton and also enjoyed a portion of his childhood in California. He was proud to have been the Pompton Lakes Borough tree surgeon for many years while running his own business; Mercury Tree Service.
During his years in California he spent a great deal of time with his Native American uncle, Jim. Uncle Jim shared many Native American traditions with Wilfred, including hunting, fishing, and he taught him about his spiritual connection with nature. Throughout his life, Wilfred nurtured his Native American spirituality and was proud to have been embraced by the Ramapough Lenape Nation here in New Jersey.
After high school, Wilfred was drafted into the US Army. Upon his discharge he set out doing what he loved; racing motorcycles. He was an expert racer, riding Harley-Davidsons, Indians and custom built bikes on flat tracks, short tracks, and TT’s. He loved racing and has a house full of trophies to prove his skill. He also loved fishing both in fresh water and out at sea. He fixed up a Glastron some years back which had become a labor of love. When he finally got the engines running on the boat, all the neighbors in his lagoon let out a cheer! He and his wife Marian reminded everyone of Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn, so when the time came to choose a name for his boat, the choice was obvious; “African Queen.” He loved taking that boat out to go fishing and he taught himself how to navigate, always making his way back home safely. He also owned coon dogs, bird dogs, was an accomplished archer, and at the age of 70 he decided to try skydiving. He loved it and proceeded to go several more times after that first jump. Life was never dull for Wilfred and he liked to do exciting things. He didn’t need a ‘bucket list’ because he had done everything he ever wanted to do.
Wilfred met his wife Marian (Garbaccio) in the late 1940’s. Marian’s mother introduced them and insisted that her daughter go on a date with Wilfred. He used his father's Buick and took her for a splendid dinner in Manhattan, where they were serenaded by musicians in the restaurant. They married on August 28, 1949 and honeymooned at Ocean Beach, on the Jersey Shore. They arrived late to their rented cottage only to find the door locked and other people’s belongings inside. Wilfred was so angry that he broke the lock and made himself at home. The next day he went to the rental office to complain, only to find out that he had gone to the wrong cottage! Nevertheless, they enjoyed sixty five years together in a loving marriage.
Wilfred is survived by his wife Marian of Pompton Lakes, his three children; Linda Clapp and her husband Richard of Hilton Head, SC, Ike Branthwaite and his wife Cary of North Carolina, and Leslie Drucks and her husband Brian of Randolph, NJ, six grandchildren; Brian Jacobs, Greg Roper, Aimee Rosenfelder, Ron McBain, Chloe Drucks, and Hannah Branthwaite, and one great-grandchild; Joie Stoltzfus.
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