In loving memory of
William “Bill” Van Es
May 26, 1949 – November 16, 2020
Click Here to
Watch Recorded
Funeral Mass
November 19th, 2020
at 2:00pm
In lieu of flowers, we encourage friends and family to donate to the Secaucus Little League in Bill’s memory. His love of sports and dedication to his children drove him to both coach and sponsor a Secaucus Little League baseball team for many years.
Thank you! ~ The Van Es Family
Attn: Little League President
Secaucus Little League
19 Millridge Road
Secaucus, NJ 07094
To make an online memorial donation, please click the Secaucus Little League logo below:
Obituary
William “Bill” Van Es, age 71, of Holly Springs, Georgia peacefully passed away on November 16, 2020 surrounded by his loving family. He was born on May 26, 1949 in Jersey City, New Jersey. A graduate of Weehawken High School, Bill married his soulmate and high school sweetheart Pat Van Es in 1970. Bill was a devoted husband and father. Together they raised three amazing children in their hometown of Secaucus, New Jersey where he lived for over fifty years.
Bill had a successful career in the food industry. He started work at an early age working side-by-side with family helping to run the family business. He later owned and operated Van’s Coffee Inc, a commissary for food trucks which provided service to local businesses employing many Secaucus residents though the years. He later enjoyed a career in restaurant management with Boston Market.
A dedicated New York Yankees and Giants fan, Bill shared his passion for sports with his children. His love of sports and dedication to his children drove him to both coach and sponsor a Secaucus Little League baseball team for many years. He also coached Secaucus Biddy Basketball for over fifteen years, long after his sons aged out. His daughter’s voice brought him joy and he beamed a loving smile whenever he heard her sing on stage or practicing at home. Bill was an avid fisherman, while living in Secaucus he spent his free time fishing at the Duck Pond and later at Forest Hill Lake near his West Milford, NJ home. After retiring to Georgia, he looked forward to Monday and Thursday card games with his friends at the Woodstock Senior Center and taking trips with The Silver Roamers. At home, he would spend countless hours working on Sudoku puzzles and his supply of Sudoku books seemed endless. Bill loved to travel with his wife and together they took cruises and road trips to many exciting places on their bucket list. He and Pat traveled back to New Jersey several times a year to visit with family and friends.
Bill is survived by his wife of fifty years Patricia “Pat” Van Es (nee Heumann) who will cherish him and the life they built together forever. He will be eternally missed by his children and their spouses; Gregory and Kristen Van Es, William and Jennifer Van Es, Tracy Lynn and Richard Drye. The memory of this kind and gentle man will live on in his grandchildren, Ryan and Colin Van Es, Caitlin and Liam Van Es, and William and Madison Drye. He is also survived by his brothers Charles (Loretta) and Peter (Nancy) Van Es, his sister-in-law and her husband, Kathy and Chuck Wilt, his Aunt Charlotte Salvatori, lifelong friend Tom Lewandoski, cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Mary and William Van Es.
A private viewing and funeral arrangements was entrusted to H.M. Patterson & Son-Arlington Chapel, Sandy Springs, GA. A funeral mass will be held at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church in Sandy Springs, GA on Thursday, November 19, 2020 at 2:00pm for immediate family. Due to the pandemic, Bill’s extended family and friends are invited to join them at his mass which will be livestream at: https://vimeo.com/480521578
Ever since the day I asked Mr. V for his daughter’s hand in marriage, he treated me as a member of the family. I went fishing with him, I played cards with him, and we told each other stories for hours on end. He was a wonderful father-in-law, grandfather to my children, and friend. I wish him everlasting peace and comfort in heaven with the knowledge of how much we all loved him. Our family will miss him greatly, but we are very fortunate to have so many fond memories to look back upon. ~Rich Drye
Dad welcomed me with open arms into the Van Es family the very first time I met him, and has been kind, funny and supportive ever since that day. I will cherish his wonderful sense of humor but especially his obvious sarcasm that I will continue to see everyday in his “not so mini me” Billy. From the way they both say hello to their wonderful way with children I am especially fortunate to see Dad every day in Billy. He was a wonderful father and grandfather and he will be terribly missed. We will all cherish the many wonderful memories we’ve shared together as a family. – Rest In Everlasting Peace Dad. Love, Jenn
I’ll never forget Mr Van Es’ wonderful pancake breakfasts. He always treated Tracy’s friends like family. He was a wonderful person and will be greatly missed!
RIP. I attended high school with Bill n his wife. U couldn’t find nicer people. Sad for his loss !
For sure Dad’s slice of heaven is full of fish stocked lakes, Jersey diners, and sudoku books. I’ll miss his winks and smirks when someone would miss his joke. A genuine heart who loved his family and friends, we’ll miss you terribly until we meet again. xoxo Kristen
Patricia and kids,
We are so sad and sorry for the loss of Bill. We wish all of you peace of mind and spirit at this time of tremendous loss. We are praying for all of you.
Love,
Julia and Lissy
Mr. VanEs was a kind, loving man who treated his children’s friends like family. His sense of humor and caring nature will certainly be missed. I am so sorry for your loss as I know the impact he had in each of your lives. May the many happy memories you built together help ease your aching hearts.
My condolences,
Wendy (Hulburt) DeMoya
I am saddened to hear of Bill passing. He was a truly wonderful man. My prayers are with your family. May he Rest In Peace
Pat:
I am so sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in the memories of the life you shared with your soulmate. May your husband rest in the arms of eternal love.
I only got to know Mr. V through Tracy, once he and Mrs. V became transplants to the south. It was evident how much he loved and was loved, and how much he’ll be missed. My deepest condolences to the entire family, and all who knew and loved him.
Oh my goodness. My heart is broken for you all. I know how extremely difficult this has been for you. Know we care and are sending you all love and many prayers for peace. Sending you the biggest virtual embrace…
A great father, friend and neighbor. Great memories of Mr. Van Es playing hoops in the driveway with us, hanging with family in the screen porch, donating his time and energy to kids as a coach, playing cards with the basement crew, listening to Cousin Brucie on the radio, championing a small business as a local entrepreneur, being part of the first group in line to lend help . . . a loving and lasting provider. Mr. Van Es always treated our family as family, and as family we celebrated life and loss together. RIP Mr. Van Es. Deepest condolences to the entire family from The Tomasi’s.
Bill was such a warm, sweet person. May he rest on peace. My condolences and prayers to Pat and family.
My cousin Bill, was loved by everyone who knew him. He was Kind, helpful and funny. I am Blessed to have had him and Patty in my life and my family.
You all have a fantastic Guardian Angel to watch over you.
May he Rest In Peace.
Dear Pat and family I was so saddened to hear of Bill’s passing. He fought the battle but I guess the good Lord had his place prepared for him. He was always so
pleasant and friendly and just an all around nice guy. I hope you can find peace and comfort from all the many happy memories you and Bill have made since high school. There are no words to help ease the pain, but we will keep you and your family in our prayers during this most difficult time. Our sincerest condolences to you and the family.
Dear Pat and Family,
So sorry to hear of the passing of your wonderful Husband. RIP
Denise Agresti Cunningham
Saw this on FB and I am so sorry for your loss. May all your memories and the live of your family and friends sustain you.
I’m very sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and the Van Ness family. Living all my younger years on seventh street, the Van Ness family and their business were a part of our neighborhood fabric….Memories last forever…