Obituary of John Francis Van de Castle

John Francis Van de Castle, age 83, died on Wednesday, March 29, 2017, at his home in Watchung. Born in Manhattan, he grew up in the South Bronx and he attended LaSalle Academy High School; he then lived in Queens, NY and Westfield before moving to Watchung in 1970. John was a graduate of St. John's University with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. He attended the University of Maryland and graduated with a PHD in Organic Chemistry. John started his career at Esso as a chemist; he then worked at Engelhard in Murray Hill. Prior to his retirement in 1993, John was a Vice President at Atlantic Richfield Company in Newtown Square, PA. John was a member of St. Mary's Stony Hill Church in Watchung. He enjoyed traveling throughout the world and especially loved spending time at his home on LBI with his family. An avid golfer, he enjoyed fishing and renovating his homes. Surviving are his loving wife of 60 years Mary Lorene (Wilson) Van de Castle; his children Karen Van de Castle (her husband Tom Bruning,, his son Ben, his wife Alexis and their daughters Evelyn and Violet), Kristin Van de Castle (her husband Krishna Narayanan and their sons William and James), John Van de Castle, Jr. and Kurt Van de Castle (his wife Ruth and their son Jacob). A visitation will be held on Monday, April 3, 2017 from 5-8 p.m. at Higgins Home for Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd., Watchung, NJ. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at 9 a.m. at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Resurrection at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Stony Hill Church, 225 Mountain Blvd., Watchung, NJ. Cremation is private. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to: Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Grand Central Station, PO Box 4777, NY, NY 10163 ( www.michaeljfox.org) or the charity of your choice.