Former Manalapan Resident Dies at 34

Curtis Van Tassell, 34, of Toms River, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013, at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold. Born in Staten Island, NY, he was a former resident of Manalapan, NJ before moving to Toms River 10 years ago.

Curtis was employed through his family construction business. During his spare time, he enjoyed playing baseball and giving back to the less fortunate, recently speaking to young troubled youths of Bonnie Brae House. Curtis was a loving, giving person. He had a genuinely good heart that someone else is now fortunate to have. His last wish was to donate all of his organs in hopes of saving others. He would help anyone in need even before helping himself. He was a beautiful person with so much to offer this world in the short time he was here. Through all obstacles in life, he came out smiling. His smile was contagious and infected anyone in his presence. He will be forever missed by those who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Earl and Rose Marie Van Tassell, and by his maternal grandmother, Joan McGowan. Surviving are his loving parents, William and Denise Van Tassell of Toms River; his cherished son, C.J. Van Tassell of Middletown; his dear sisters, Deanna Van Tassell of Aberdeen and Christy Minetello and husband Michael of Toms River; his maternal grandfather, John "Poppy" McGowan of Toms River; his three nephews, Michael, Matthew, and Christopher Minetello, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, especially his aunt, Victoria Monico of Staten Island.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1 at the O'Brien Funeral Home, 505 Burnt Tavern Road, Brick. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:15 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 at St. Luke's R.C. Church, Old Freehold Road, Toms River. Interment will follow at St. Mary of the Lake Cemetery, Lakewood. 

In lieu of flowers, a trust account will be set up for C.J.'s college education, for more information and condolences, please visit www.OBrienFuneralHome.com.

-Obituary provided by O'Brien Funeral Home