Obituary of James Gardner

VANDER PLAAT FUNERAL HOME 257 Godwin Avenue Wyckoff, New Jersey 07481 201-891-3400 James F. Gardner, age 79 of Waldwick died Tuesday, May 1, 2007 at The Valley Hospital, Ridgewood. Born in Paterson, he lived and grew up in Hawthorne before moving to Waldwick 46 years ago. Jim was a graduate of Seton Hall University with a BS degree, William Paterson University with his MA in Administration, and had advanced courses in Child Developmental Testing and Grade Placement. He was a Principal in the Dumont Public School System for 38 years before his retirement in 1988. After his retirement, he was a substitute teacher in the Midland Park Public School System for the last 18 years. He was a World War II veteran who served in the Navy and Marine Corp. He was a member of the American Legion Waldwick Post 57, National Parent Teacher Association where he was a lifetime member, Retired Principal Association, Bergen County Retired Teacher Association, and Professed Third Order of St. Luke's Lay Carmelite Community. Jim was a parishioner of St. Luke's R.C. Church, Ho Ho Kus, where he served as a Extraodinary Minister of Communion, Lector and Altar Server trainer. Surviving is his wife of 51 years, Joan (nee McCrea) Gardner, his daughters, MaryBeth and her husband Paul Gallagher of Nutley, and Patricia and her husband Jack Victor of Alpharetta, GA; his six grandchildren, Jordyn, Rory and Jessica Gallagher and Troy, Dennis and Matthew Victor and his brother, Leo Gardner of Paterson. Visiting will be held Friday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, 257 Godwin Ave. Wyckoff, NJ. Funeral Mass will be Saturday 11:30 AM at St. Luke's R.C. Church, 340 Franklin Tpk. Ho Ho Kus, NJ. Interment St. Luke's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude's Place, Memphis, TN. would be appreciated. www.vpfh.com