Walter J. Van Gilson

Walter J. Van Gilson, age 74, died Monday, March 8, 2021 at Hunterdon Medical Center in Raritan Township NJ. Born October 8, 1946 in New York NY, Walter was the son of the late John and Marie Lissy Van Gilson. After graduation from high school, Walter joined the United States Marine Corps in 1964 and served as a Sergeant overseas in the Pacific during the Vietnam War until transferring to the Marine Corps Reserve in 1968. While in the Marine Corps, Walter was stationed in Okinawa Japan and fell in love with Japanese culture. The remainder of his life was surrounded by the art, history and especially the people of Japan and Okinawa specifically. Walter was a proud member of the American Legion Post 151 and VFW Post 7856 in Flemington NJ. Walter was a Master Plumber and was self-employed for many years and eventually worked as a Boiler Tech in the Maintenance Department for the Bridgewater-Raritan School System until his retirement. One of Walter's greatest loves was his involvement and training in Karate. He was the Sensei of the Hunterdon Karate Club for many years and enjoyed the many relationships that came from the sport. An outdoorsman at heart, Walter loved all types of fishing, hunting and spending time with his son, Damian and his many friends at various gun clubs, including the Croton Rod & Gun Club, the Monroeton Rod & Gun Club, the Kellogg Mt. Rod & Gun Club, and the Towanda Gun Club. Walter is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Yvonne T. and David Scott of Milford NJ, his son and daughter-in-law, Damian and Erynn Brezin of Middlesex NJ, his seven grandchildren, Rebecca, Mekayla, Faith, Michael, Connor, Noah and Taylor, his three great-grandchildren, Bella, Elodie and Landon, as well as his siblings, Kenneth Van Gilson of Ewing Township, David Van Gilson and his wife, Judy, of Holland Township NJ, Jeffrey Van Gilson of Salisbury MD, and Sandra Fenn of Lincroft NJ, his Aunt, Leonora Lombardi Lissy and many nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral services officiated by Father John Primich will be held at 12:00 pm on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington NJ, followed by military honors from the United States Marine Corps. Cremation will be private. Calling hours will be Saturday from 10:00 until the time of service at the funeral home. The funeral service and military honors will be LiveStreamed beginning at 11:45 am by clicking here Click Here . Memorial contributions in Walter’s name may be made to the Croton Rod & Gun Club, 31 Rake Factory Road, Flemington NJ 08822. For further information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.holcombefisher.com.