David F. Bekus

Surrounded by love, David F. Bekus departed his physical body on December 29, 2021, aged 85 years. Dave was devoted to his family, and was a husband, father, son, brother, cousin, grandfather, great-grandfather, teacher, mentor and friend to many.

Dave was born on Easter Sunday, April 12, 1936 to Anna (nee Palfy) and John L. Bekus, in Perth Amboy N.J. When Dave was six years old, his father died, leaving behind his mother, older brother John, and younger brother Albert. Dave learned early to face adversity head on, and to work hard for what he wanted.

Dave was a graduate of Our Lady of Hungary primary school, and New Brunswick High School. Following high school, he graduated with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Newark College of Engineering (now NJIT). While attending school at night, he worked during the day at Johnson and Johnson in New Brunswick, where he met his future wife, Virginia (nee Perna) Bekus.

In 1965, Dave and Virginia bought their first house in North Brunswick, NJ where they raised their two children, David M. and Pilar (Lori). In 1982 they built a home on several acres of land in Pittstown, N.J., where they were able to have horses, live next door to their daughter and her family, and enjoy being involved in the daily lives of their children and grandchildren.

Dave worked at Johnson & Johnson (J&J) for 32 years, where he was a successful scientist and engineer, dedicating a large portion of his career to the methods used for sterilization of medical products. If you ever had surgery where absorbable sutures, were used, or used a band-aid, know that there is a good chance Dave touched your life. Dave was part of a team at Ethicon that invented a sterilization process for these materials, which subsequently received a U.S. Patent. Dave was a two-time recipient of the prestigious J&J Philip B. Hofmann Research Scientist Award for his scientific work at J&J.

Dave was an avid fisherman, water skier and snow skier. One of his favorite places for fly fishing was Grand Lake Stream Maine, where many enjoyable trips were made with his family and life-long friends Mike and Patty McCue. When not fishing, Dave enjoyed snow-skiing in Vermont with his family as well as many friends, including Bob and Jane Wittemann. Dave also skied throughout Europe and in his later years took up heli-skiing in the Canadian Rockies. Summers were spent boating and waterskiing with his family and friends.

Dave was a loving and devoted mentor to his grandchildren Robert, Angela, Ryan and Scarlett. He took great pride in all his grandchildren, and enjoyed teaching snow-skiing, water-skiing, fishing and many life lessons to his children and grandchildren. Dave also was an assistant scout master with the Boy Scouts, and helped many boys achieve their water-skiing merit badges.

Dave Bekus was the shining North Star for his family, pointing the way to new adventures and experiences, showing the way to a life-filled with adventure, love and caring support. He will be missed by many.

Dave leaves behind his wife of 62 years, Virginia Bekus of Lebanon NJ, daughter Pilar and her husband Ron Glick of Stockton, NJ and ex-husband Robert Patterson of Asbury, NJ, son David M Bekus and wife Tara Handschin of Skillman NJ, Grandchildren Robert R. Patterson, Jr. and wife Bronte of New Providence NJ, Angela Wiszniewski, and husband David of Washington NJ, Ryan Bekus of Skillman NJ, Scarlett Bekus of NYC, and great-grandson Russell Wiszniewski of Washington, NJ.

A church service will be held at Our Lady of Hungary January 4, 2022, 10:00 am 697 Cortlandt St, Perth Amboy, NJ 08861 graveside service at 275 New Brunswick Ave, Fords, NJ 08863. Followed by a memorial service and open house, all are welcome, at his son's house from 2:00 PM at 45 Hunt Lane Skillman NJ 08558. Directions