Kenneth A Christman

A man of many talents and a boundless capacity for learning, Ken played the violin, was offered a contract to be their catcher by the Brooklyn Dodgers, served overseas while in the U.S. Army and through the G.I. Bill graduated with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He later got his Master’s degree in Theology from New Brunswick Theological Seminary.

Ken founded and served as pastor of the Bergen Point Community Church in Bayonne, NJ, and was also pastor at the Woodcliff Community Reformed Church in North Bergen, NJ. In addition, Ken was an actor with the Pembroke Players in Cranford, NJ, where his Sky Masterson brought down the house; a chef at the Candlewood Playhouse Restaurant (in addition to making the turkey and pies for the family every Thanksgiving); an educator who was the homeroom teacher at Epworth Children’s Home in Columbia, S.C.; taught physics, calculus, and astronomy at Cardinal Newman High School; and as his family discovered one day, knew how to roller boogie. The universe will never see his like again.

Surviving are his wife, Catherine H. Christman, daughters, Diane (Brian Weischedel), Susan (Debbie Johnston), and Heather Quinlan (Adam McGovern), granddaughter Kristine Eng, brothers-in-law Fred Hodge (Maria), John Hodge (Kristin), and Russ Hodge (Cyndi), and many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly. Ken was predeceased by his parents and sister, Joyce Lardner.

Burial will take place at Mountain View Cemetery, New Fairfield, CT. The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Epworth Children’s Home in Columbia, S.C.