Daren Kellen Toppin

TOPPIN, Daren Kellen, 39, of Prospect Park, NJ, formerly of River Vale, NJ, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, June 23rd, 2021. Daren, born on January 10, 1982 in Brooklyn, NY, is survived by his beloved parents Laurence III and Daisy, brother Laurence IV (Angela) and twin brother Daryl.

After graduating from Pascack Valley High School and a year at Delaware University, he pursued a career in the restaurant industry; he was outgoing, particularly engaging and was a favorite of many customers. While at the restaurant, he acquired cooking skills and would prepare many mouth-watering dishes for his family. Despite this, Daren felt the need to challenge himself in the field of Information Technology and enrolled in Lincoln Tech, a trade school. He excelled in his studies and soon acquired several Microsoft Operating Systems certifications. He was employed by TeleDynamics of Secaucus where he specialized in telecommunications and installed digital phone systems for mostly corporate entities.

Daren enjoyed his area of specialization so much that while in the ICU at Hackensack hospital, he talked about how outdated the telecommunications system was and how it could be updated and brought into the 21st century. He planned on sending an email outlining his plan to the hospital’s director. Daren was considerate, caring and thoughtful of others. At his death it was revealed, via his driver’s license and the calls received from several organizations, that he had signed up as an organ donor. Daren was a longtime member of Grace Episcopal Church, serving as an acolyte for many years.

Besides his parents, brothers and sister-in-law mentioned above, Daren leaves to mourn his aunts Cheri and Marilyn; uncles Kyle, Nolan (Bea), Adlai (Joan) and Charles (Hilda); nieces, Kennedy and Kamryn; and numerous cousins and friends.

Daren, we love you and you will be greatly missed. Rest in heavenly peace.

The family will receive guests at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Rd., Westwood, NJ on Wednesday, June 30th from 10AM-12PM. A Celebration of life will commence at 12PM with interment at Westwood Cemetery in Westwood, NJ to follow.