Obituary of Kenneth J. Brands

Kenneth J. Brands, beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 at Compassionate Care Hospice in Dover, NJ. He was 72 years old. Born in Elizabeth and raised in Union County, he was a resident of Indian Lake in Denville since 1970. A graduate of Jonathan Dayton Regional High School in Springfield, Ken attended Union County Junior College. He was a veteran of the US Army, an amateur radio operator and an active member of The Wit Click. His sales career, first in the family window business, CJ Brands & Sons, and later in turf management at Andrew Wilson, Inc. prepared him to excel in what later became his lifes work. A friend of Bill W., Ken devoted himself to counseling individuals in recovery for the past twenty-five years. He established his private counseling practice in Denville in 1992 and worked as a consultant for Family Service in Morris County as the Intoxicated Driver Resource Center educator for more than fifteen years. Known for his high ethical standards, compassion and caring for those still struggling with the diseases of addiction Ken was an example to all who knew and loved him. He loved his family, jazz music, good food, fishing, boating and life on the lake. He will be remembered most for his humor, his enthusiastic cooking and deep sense of family. He is survived by his beloved wife, Marcia, with whom he celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary on July 19th, his children: Jewel Fox, of Laconia, New Hampshire, Kenneth Brands, of Key West, FL, Jeffrey Brands and his wife Jennifer, of Cabot, PA., Gregory Brands and his wife Sandy, of Savannah, GA., Michael Brands and his wife Joyce, of Haskell, NJ, and stepdaughter Megan and her husband, Fritz Healey, of Bayonne City, MI. He especially enjoyed time spent with his ten grandchildren; Erika, and her husband Jim Bagley, Kirk, Sarah, Nicole, Coleman, Natalie, Tyler, Amanda, Alyshia and Brielle. Other survivors include his sister Margaret Martin of Nakomis, FL, and his brother Charles Brands of Tavares, FL. The youngest of five children, Ken was predeceased by his sister Gwendolyn Serbe and his brother Arthur Brands. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Saturday, July 29, 2006, at 11AM at Denville Community Methodist Church, The Church of the Open Door, 190 Diamond Spring Rd., Denville. There will be a gathering of friends in the Fellowship Hall immediately following. In Lieu of flowers, and in honor of Kens long time service to Family Service of Morris County, contributions can be made to a fund established there in his memory.