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Wadhams, Rodney D. November 29, 1939 - December 1, 2020

Rodney D. Wadhams, 81
Longtime Budd Lake resident
Rodney D. Wadhams of Budd Lake, NJ passed away peacefully after a brief illness on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at the age of 81.
Rodney was born on November 29, 1939 in New York, N.Y.  He was the son of the late Lina Ricciardi and Jesse H. Wadhams of Dover, NJ. He was predeceased by his brother, Jess H. of Princeton, WV.  He was a 1958 graduate of Washington High School.
Rodney enlisted in the US Navy and proudly served as a Machinist Mate on the USS Skywatcher, a radar picket ship from 1960-1964.  The Bay of Pigs Invasion and Cuban Missile Crisis both played prominent roles in Rodney marrying his wife of 58 years, Dorothy Zink, of Belvidere, NJ in 1962.
Upon being discharged from the US Navy, Rodney returned home and went to work at Picatinny Arsenal in Dover, NJ as a machinist for 30 years.
Rodney was a 50 year member of Musconetcong Lodge No. 42 F. & A.M. and appendant bodies of Freemasonry.  He was a Past Master of the Lodge and led several of the Lodge’s charitable endeavors including their blood drives and annual Clam Bake for many years.  Rodney was active with the Order of the Eastern Star, Starlight Chapter #107 and a member of the American Legion Post #164 in Hackettstown. Rodney enjoyed volunteering his time at Holly Manor Nursing Home in Mendham, NJ.
Rodney was active in his later years. The man could fix anything and loved tinkering with cars including his 1959 Ford F-100 and 1962 544 Volvo Sport.  He was an avid beekeeper, enjoyed working in his yard, riding his motorcycle well into his late 70’s and loved fine cigars.  Whatever he did around the house, his Maine Coon cats, Spencer and Sadie, were always near.
Rodney is survived by loving wife, Dorothy; devoted children, Tracy of Budd Lake, a son, Rodney and wife, Panna of Tyler, TX and son, Ed and wife, Kristi of Bonita Springs, FL; sister-in-law, Marlene Wadhams of Princeton, WV, brother-in-law, John Zink and wife, Kathy of Riverside, CA and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on  Sunday, December 6th from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High Street, Hackettstown NJ with a service to follow.

Condolences(8)

  1. REPLY
    John Gill says
    December 4, 2020 at 9:00 pm

    Rest in Peace, Rod. We go way back to our 8th grade year in Band at Southside and Northside Schools in Dover in the ’51-’52 school year.
    Fellow Clarinetist,
    Jack Gill

  2. REPLY
    Janet N, Nooitgedagt says
    December 4, 2020 at 10:27 pm

    Dotty and Family:
    My deepest sympathy to you on the passing of Rodney. He will always be remembered for his kindness and sharing of his funny stories. May all your cherished memories become your treasures. He is now your guardian angel.

  3. REPLY
    Lester and Joy Snyder says
    December 5, 2020 at 1:49 pm

    Dottie and family: We are so sad to hear of the passing of longtime friend and fellow brother Mason, Rodney. Never a finer Gentleman could be found anywhere. God Bless you all. Joy and Les Snyder

  4. REPLY
    Robert E Hartman Sr says
    December 6, 2020 at 8:23 pm

    So sorry to hear of the passing of Rodney. A long time friend and brother Mason.My condolences to his family.

  5. REPLY
    Sally Hemsen says
    December 6, 2020 at 9:20 pm

    Tracy and Family, So sorry to be unable to pay my respects in person today. I am thinking of you all and hoping the company of others there will be helpful to you in this difficult time.

  6. REPLY
    Keith Roslan and family says
    December 6, 2020 at 9:58 pm

    Dorothy and family:
    Please accept my condolences and know that he will be missed by many. A true gentleman and a friend of all that he met. We should all inspire to be as great as him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Every time I have a cigar I will be thinking of him! Godspeed my friend, until we meet again.

  7. REPLY
    Mitzi Duimstra says
    December 7, 2020 at 2:39 pm

    Saddened to hear this. So many memories of our time in WHS and kept friends to present day. He was my true friend. Enjoyed our talks on the phone , surely will miss that now. Thank you Dorothy for calling me but not one I wanted to hear. My sincere thoughts & prayers being sent.

  8. REPLY
    Laurie Wadhams Taylor says
    December 8, 2020 at 2:16 am

    My heart and thoughts are with you all, Aunt Dotty, Tracy, Rodney, and Edward. I understand your loss as I did when I lost my father, your Uncle. No one is ever prepared. May he rest in peace and you know that there was no suffering.

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