John Vanderhoof

John Howard Vanderhoof Born: October 4, 1946, Morristown, New Jersey Died: Early Thanksgiving Day (November 25, 2015), at Morristown Memorial Hospital, having fought a courageous battle with multiple myeloma, surrounded by family and friends. The son of the late Thomas and Winifred (Denner) Vanderhoof, John grew up in Dover where he attended Dover Schools and graduated Dover High School in 1964. He attended Grace United Methodist Church and was a Boy Scout. John graduated from Wilkes University in 1968 having majored in music. He taught music at Dover High School for two years and retired from the Madison School District in 2000 having taught there for almost thirty years. In 1969, John married the love of his life, Joy Galish. John and Joy were married for forty-six years and they resided in Somerset. He is survived by his siblings: Thomas, Jr. and Patricia Vanderhoof of Evans, Georgia; Ellen Vanderhoof Regan of Green Township, and Troy and Dara Vanderhoof of Randolph. John was “Uncle John” to Michael Vanderhoof of Evans, Georgia; Mary Elizabeth and Pete Steelman, Palymra, PA; Anne Marie and Laurence Christian, Columbus, Georgia; Séan Regan and Sarah Morang, Steamboat Springs, Colorado; Jaclyn and Ian Otsubo, Randolph; and Todd Vanderhoof, Randolph and “Great-Uncle John” to Chance and Faith Vanderhoof; Thomas, Katherine and Elizabeth Steelman; Mason Regan; Preston and Harrison Christian and Hailey Church. He is also survived by his mothers-in-law Miriam Galish, Bridgewater and Joan Galish, Barnegat; numerous cousins, and many, many wonderful friends. John enjoyed cooking and trying new recipes and he loved music of all kinds. John previously served as president of the Madison Teachers’ Association. He was an outdoorsman from a young age where he learned to trap and hunt. He was a member of several hunting associations including the Ox-Bow, Sunrise Farm and Manville Rod & Gun Clubs, the Hopewell Hunting Club and was a charter member of the Rockaway Township Sportsmen. Friends will be received at the funeral home from 4:00 – 8:00 P.M. Tuesday, December 1, at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, December 2, at the Life Center, 2 Chapel Drive, Zarephath (off Weston Canal Road). Interment will follow at the New Cemetery, Somerville. In lieu of flowers, please direct all donations to the Multiple Myeloma Division at the John Theurer Cancer Center , 92 Second Street, Hackensack, New Jersey 07601 (envelopes will be available at the funeral home).