Obituary of Reverend Robert J. Patterson

PATTERSON, Reverend Robert J., age 75, died on Friday, January 18, 2008. Born to James J. and Margaret E. (nee Wittnebert) Patterson on November 22, 1932, in Jersey City. Upon receiving his Bachelor of Sacred Theology and Master of Divinity, Robert was ordained as a Roman Catholic Priest in 1958. He served as Parochial Vicar at Blessed Sacrament/St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Newark, Corpus Christi Parish, Hasbrouck Heights, Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Newark, St. Nicholas Parish, Jersey City and Christ the King Parish, Jersey City. He went on to serve as the Pastor at Christ the King Parish, Jersey City and St. John Church, Orange before becoming Parochial Vicar of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Scotch Plains where he retired in 2002. Father Bob's passion for ministry centered on retreats, counseling, adult education, and helping those afflicted by drug addiction. He is survived by his two well-loved sisters; June M. Layton of Wyckoff and Patricia M. Breen and her husband Richard of Homosassa, FL. Dear uncle of Kenneth C. Layton of Wyckoff, Brian E. Layton and his wife Jennifer of York, ME, Linda J. Layton-Roth and her husband Mark of North Haledon, Chris W. Layton and his wife Carolyn of Franklin Lakes, NJ, Richard R. Breen of Myrtle Beach, SC, and Debbie M. Rich and her husband Craig of Lewisville, TX. He is also survived by his two great-nieces Nicole and Brianna Layton and his two great-nephews Grant and Jack Layton, all of Franklin Lakes, and his great-niece Lauren Layton and two great-nephews Ethan and Nolan Layton, all of York ME. Funeral prayers will take place on Tuesday, 10:15 AM from the Vander Plaat Funeral Home (www.vpfh.com), 257 Godwin Ave. Wyckoff, NJ 07481, followed by a funeral mass, 11:00 AM at St. Elizabeth's R.C. Church, 700 Wyckoff Ave. Wyckoff, NJ 07481. Interment will follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery, Hackensack. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 PM. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 1 Union Street, Suite 301, Robbinsville, NJ 08691.