Friends remember a departed author

James Breetveld, 78, passes away on Wednesday, March 26.

By: Sharlee DiMenichi
   Those who knew James Breetveld said they will most remember his compassion and devotion to others.
   "Jim was, well, a wonderful guy and I’m not the only one who says so," said Maria Breetveld, Mr. Breetveld’s wife of 52 years.
   James P. Breetveld, 78, died Wednesday, March 28. He was born in New York City and had been a Kendall Park resident for 46 years.
   He retired in 1985 after 20 years as chief of public information for UNICEF, an agency of the United Nations. During that time he was assigned to India, where he and his family lived for four years. Previously, he worked for United Press International from 1951-1964 as a picture editor and feature writer.
   Mr. Breetveld’s writing career had deep roots. In his unfinished autobiography, Mr. Breetveld wrote, "I think I was seven years old when I decided to become a writer. And, for most of my life, I have been fortunate enough to make my living by writing or editing something or other. My first published article — with a proper byline — appeared on the front page of a small town weekly The Putnam County Republican in Carmel, New York."
   He served during World War II in the 11th Air Force Division of the Army in the Aleutian Islands and in Alaska.
   He later used his Alaskan experience as the basis for one of the eight children’s books he wrote for the Coward-McCann "Getting to Know" series.
   After retirement, he was a theater critic for the Home News and the Home News Tribune. He was a former member of the South Brunswick Board of Education and a member of the South Brunswick Affordable Housing Authority.
   Those who worked with Mr. Breetveld on affordable housing share Ms. Breetveld’s high regard for him.
   "He’s a dear friend and a wonderful cooperative member of the Affordable Housing Board," said Arlyne DeSena, the township’s affordable housing officer, who knew Mr. Breetveld for 42 years.
   Ms. DeSena said she was especially impressed that Mr. Breetveld remained committed to the authority in spite of illness.
   "He came to the meeting only a few weeks ago when he was very uncomfortable," Ms. DeSena said.
   Mr. Breetveld also was a member of the St. Barnabas Episcopal Church choir.
   "As a dedicated member of St. Barnabas and enthusiastic member of the choir, he delighted in ‘making a joyful noise to the Lord’ on the choir’s stage," the Rev. Francis A. Hubbard of St. Barnabas said in a homily at Mr. Breetveld’s memorial service, held March 29.
   Mr. Breetveld’s parents, Arie and Marion Breetveld; brother, William Breetveld; sister-in-law, Elizabeth Breetveld; and mother in-law, Tracey Breetveld, are deceased. He is survived by his wife, Maria S. Breetveld; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Christopher James and Elyse Reissman Breetveld of West Orange and Mark F. Breetveld of Edinburg, N.Y.; his daughter, Lisa Nicole Breetveld of Iselin; a brother and sister-in-law, Eugene and Terry Breetveld of Florida, and grandchildren, Andrew James Breetveld and Rebecca Marie Breetveld.
   In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Barnabas Episcopal Church Building Fund, 142 Sand Hills Road, Monmouth Junction, N.J. 08852 or the U.S. Committee of UNICEF.