James R. Van Pelt Middlesex, NJ James R. Van Pelt, 73, of Middlesex, NJ, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 26, 2020. Born in Brooklyn, NY on November 1, 1947 to his late parents, Annetta Hopkins and Everett Van Pelt, he resided in Middlesex for the last 30 years of his life. James was a former member of the US Navy where he served from 1965-1971 before being honorably discharged. He was a member of the American Legion Post 306 in Middlesex, NJ. James enjoyed his daily grocery shopping and buying lottery tickets. He loved math, attending all of his grandchildren's sporting and school events, was an avid Giants and Yankees fan, enjoyed sailing on Booth Bay Harbor Maine and Bear Mountain, NY, and enjoyed spending quality time with his family especially his grandchildren. He will be missed tremendously by all. He is preceded in death by two brothers, Richard Van Pelt and Donald Hopkins and two sisters, Patricia Sojtori and Dorothy Gates. Surviving are his beloved wife of 44 years, Debra A. Van Pelt; four loving daughters, Christine Van Pelt of Brooklyn, NY, Karen and husband Sean Moroney of South River, NJ, Melanie and husband Lee Dare of Middlesex, NJ, and Kelly and husband Mark Moroney of Middlesex, NJ; two dear brothers, Everett and wife Andrea of Lake Grove, Long Island, NY, and Raymond and wife Shelly of Brooklyn, NY; two wonderful sisters, Catherine and husband Jack Sell of Walnutport, PA and Deborah Chandler of Scottsdale, AZ; and seven cherished grandchildren, Carissa, Michael, Christopher, Everett, Madison, Payton, and Hayden. Viewing will be held Wednesday, December 2, 2020 from 7-9pm at the Branchburg Funeral Home 910 US Highway 202 South, Branchburg, NJ 08876. Funeral services will start with a prayer service at 10:00am on Thursday, December 3, 2020 at the funeral home followed by interment at Clover Leaf Cemetery in Woodbridge, NJ. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the American Lung Association of NJ 1600 Route 22 East, #15, Union, NJ 07083 or the American Legion Post 306, 707 Legion Place, Middlesex, NJ 08846.