James Molnar
January 17, 1937 – July 14, 2018
James Louis Molnar, 81, of Branchburg, New Jersey, passed away peacefully at home on July 14, 2018.
Jim was born and raised in Kearny, N.J. After marrying his childhood sweetheart, Lillian (nee Burakevich), in 1963, they moved to Bridgewater, N.J., and then to Branchburg, N.J., in 1974. A graduate of Kearny High School, he joined the Army, where he studied radar and electronics. While in the Army, his picture appeared in the April 11, 1960 issue of Life magazine, showing him working a special camera for TIROS, the nation's first weather satellite launched by NASA. He was later employed at Bell Laboratories (which eventually became Lucent Technologies, Inc.), where he was a technician for more than 40 years, retiring in 2001.
Jim loved fishing, swimming in the ocean, tending his garden and, most of all, spending time with his family. Young at heart, he enjoyed building sandcastles on the beach, chasing fireflies in the backyard, sleigh riding down hills and building snowmen in the snow with his grandchildren, as he had previously done with his children. He will always be remembered as an amazing husband, father and grandfather. His sense of humor and many stories will be remembered and retold for years to come.
Jim was predeceased by his parents, Louis and Helen (nee Szeles) Molnar, and two beloved sisters, Elizabeth Molnar and Joyce (Molnar) Dabbouseh.
He is survived by Lillian, his loving wife of 55 years, his beloved daughters, Linda Molnar Hines and Lisa Molnar, and beloved son Michael Molnar. Also surviving are his son-in-law, Jeff, and daughter-in-law, Tazia. He is also survived by his four adoring grandchildren, Jeffrey, Jessica, Alyssa and Brianna.
Viewing will be held on Tuesday, July 17, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Branchburg Funeral Home, 910 Route 202 South, Branchburg, N.J. Prayers will begin at 9:15 a.m. Wednesday, July 18, from the Branchburg Funeral Home, followed by a 10 a.m. funeral Liturgy at Holy Trinity R.C. Church, 60 Maple Street, Bridgewater, N.J. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington, N.J.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jim's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Visit www.branchburgfuneralhome.com to send condolences.