Walter W. Brand Sr.

Walter Wesley Brand, Sr. was born on March 6, 1922 in West Long Branch to Grace and Jesse Brand, one of a set of twins. Unfortunately, his twin William did not survive. Walt passed away on December 7, 2012 at Community Medical Center in Toms River after a lengthy illness following open heart surgery. Walt will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him. He was a man of all seasons, blessed with good looks and good health for 90 years. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather and a good friend to all who knew him. Walt was a nature lover, an animal lover and a boating enthusiast. He and his wife Doris spent six months living on their boat in New Bern, N.C. after they retired in 1989. They also enjoyed two weeks every year at their time share in Cancun Mexico with their daughter and son-in-law Pat and Bill Tarpy for quite a few years.

He grew up in Eatontown and went to school in Long Branch and at the age of 17 joined the National Guard, the 112th Field Artillery in Red Bank. In 1941 the National Guard unit went to Fayetteville N.C. for a year service. Exactly 11 months later Pearl Harbor was bombed and his stay in the Army lasted another four years. In 1943 he went to the European Theatre of Operations and saw quite of bit of action with Patton’s Third Army. It included the Battle of the Bulge Artillery Support M 7 Tank. He received 5 Battle Stars. He was discharged in June, 1945 and returned home to his wife, Doris, who he and married in 1941 before he went for years of training, and two young sons, Walter Wesley Jr. and William.

After the war Walt held quite a few different jobs and finally he went to Lincoln Technical Institute in Newark with his son, Walter, and became a heating and air conditioning Technician. He eventually opened a business, RIC Mechanics, with his son, William. They did quite a bit of Business with Freehold Township Schools. Walter and both his sons were considered some of the best mechanics around.

He was a longtime member of the RSES, Asbury Park Chapter. Walter received the Man of the Year award in 1985, from the local chapter. He was a Life member of the VFW, Post 6063 of Toms River.

Walter was predeceased by his wonderful son, William in 2010; his mother and father, Grace and Jesse Brand; his four brothers, Edwin, James, Jesse Jr. and Charles; and his sister, Jackie Patterson; also by his brother-in-law, William Dean and a special niece, Audrey Spierin of Holland.

Surviving are his wife of 72 years, Doris Dean Brand of Toms River; his son and daughter-in-law Walter W. Brand Jr. and Mary Carole of Farmingdale; his daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and William Tarpy of Freehold and his son James and his companion of many years, Michele Lynn Moore of South Toms River. He is also survived by his 5 grandchildren, Walter W. Brand III of Farmingdale, Dr. Scott Brand and his wife Chris of S.C., Carole and Joe Viars of S.C., Alicia and Joey Botticelli of Keyport and Diana Lynn Brand of Brick. Diana and her grandfather were very close since she lost her Dad, William in 2010. Walter is also survived by 7 great grandchildren, Tabitha of Las Vegas, Joey and Heather Viars of S.C., William and Christopher Hayes of Keyport, Walter Wesley IV and Mary Elizabeth of Farmingdale. He is also survived by many wonderful nieces and nephews and scores of wonderful friends and neighbors. He was especially close to Bev and Jack Brister and Bucky and Barbara Brand of Lakewood.

Visitation will be held on from 1 to 5 p.m. on Friday, December 14, 2012 with a funeral service at 4:00 p.m. at Anderson and Campbell Funeral Home, 703 Main St. Toms River. Cremation will be private. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Popcorn Park Zoo, PO Box 43, Forked River, NJ 08731 in Walter’s memory. Condolences may be made by visiting www.andersonandcampbell.com.