David Cantos

(November 5, 1942 – April 13, 2026)

Devoted Son, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Uncle, Friend and Educator

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of David Cantos of Manalapan, N.J. on April 13, 2026, at the age of 83.

David was born on November 5, 1942, in Brooklyn, N.Y. He is the son of the late Mark and Olga Cantos and older brother of the late Joel Cantos.

With a passion for education, he pursued his undergraduate studies at Brooklyn College, where he graduated with a BA in history. He later earned an MA in Social Studies at Brooklyn College and an MBA from Pace University.

David was introduced to the love of his life, Helaine, through mutual friends in the Brooklyn College cafeteria. The couple married on July 3, 1966, and had a son, Andy, and a daughter, Allison. They settled in Marlboro, N.J. where they raised their two children before moving to Manalapan, N.J. twelve years ago.

David began his career as a history teacher in the N.Y. school system, where he pursued his love of educating others. After leaving teaching, he became a consultant in the finance industry. Later, he became a training director at U.S. Trust in New York City, where he worked for 30 years, ultimately achieving the position of Senior Vice President. Rather than retiring in his 60s, David returned to the world of education as a public speaking instructor at Middlesex Community College where he mentored students for the next 17 years.

Beyond his many professional achievements, David had many interests and hobbies including carpentry, ceramics, painting, bocce, travel and canasta. He had an insatiable thirst for knowledge, was an avid reader and a history buff, partaking in a history book club at Four Seasons. He enjoyed the gym and walked 3 miles daily. He appreciated live rock and jazz music, the theater and he religiously watched Jeopardy and Brit Box mysteries. He loved spending time on the beach at Avon with Helaine and cherished his time with his children and grandchildren, including vacations to Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Miami and annual summer trips to Woodloch Pines.

David is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Helaine, his children Andy (and Ilene) Cantos, Allison (and Eddie) Blume, his grandchildren, Brendan and Kylie Cantos, Spencer and Peri Blume, and a vast community of family and friends who adored him.

Funeral Services will take place on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 11 AM at Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapels (44 Wilson Ave, Manalapan, NJ). Friends and extended family should arrive between 10:15AM-10:45AM for the 11AM service time.

Interment to follow at Beth Israel (1098 Woodbridge Center Drive, Woodbridge, NJ), followed by shiva at the Cantos residence directly afterwards through 8 PM. Shiva will also be held Thursday (1 – 4 PM, 6 – 9 PM) and Friday (1 – 7 PM).

For those that cannot attend, the service will be live streamed at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/c26041265776139

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation to one of the following charities that are particularly meaningful to David: Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation (helpfightra.org), Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, Sharsheret.org (breast cancer support).