David Prestup

David Martin Prestup, 79, of East Brunswick, a dedicated special education teacher in the New Brunswick Public Schools, died on January 19, 2023.
Dave was liked by everyone he met. He was friendly, gregarious and curious. He was devoted to his family, including his wife, Jane (nee Schnee), to whom he was married for more than 52 years, and his two sons, Douglas and Steven.

Former students visited him in the hospital. "When one of the nurses found out who he was, she said she wouldn't have her job if it wasn't for him," Douglas said. "He touched a lot of lives." "He was so outgoing," Steven said. "He talked to everyone."

Dave was born in Newark, the son of Sidney and Ruthe Prestup, and raised in Irvington. As a boy, he was such a devoted fan of the films of Laurel and Hardy that he struck up a friendly correspondence with Stan Laurel. He graduated from Murray State University in Kentucky. He took a brief detour from his teaching career when he co-owned Toman Cleaners in North Brunswick, but ultimately returned to the classroom.

He also served as class advisor and helped place students in jobs. He was recognized in Who's Who and by the National Geographic Society. During his teaching years, Dave also worked as a career counselor and teacher at Elijah's Promise, a soup kitchen in New Brunswick.

He was a member of many civic organizations, including the Jaycees. He helped found the central New Jersey chapter of the JDRF and served as its president, and also served as president of the East Brunswick Lions Club. The Lions recognized him with their top honor, the Melvin Jones Fellowship.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sons, Douglas (Katia) of Millstone Township and Steve (Jessa) of East Orange; three grandchildren, Jack and Charlie Prestup, of Richmond, Virginia, and Kevin Monroe, of Millstone Township; and a brother, Aaron Prestup, DMD, of Jackson.

There will be a Viewing on Monday January 23rd from 2:00-4:00 & 7:00-9:00pm. Funeral Service will be the following day Tuesday at 10:00am at The Crabiel Home for Funerals 170 N. Main St. Milltown NJ, 08850. Interment will be at Mt. Lebanon Cemetery Iselin, NJ 08830. You may sign the online guest book. Memorials may be made to JDRF at www.jdrf.org, or to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org.