Andrew “Andy” Babyak, Jr., age 82 years, of Raritan Township, NJ, died peacefully on Friday, July 13, 2018 at the Hunterdon Care Center, Raritan Township, NJ, surrounded by his loving family and under the caring watch of Hunterdon Hospice.

Born April 6, 1936 in Passaic, NJ, son of the late Andrew Babyak, Sr. and Anna Gibey Babyak, Andy was a lifelong area resident.

A 1953 graduate of Flemington High School, Andy was a member of the Carpenters Local 455, Somerville, NJ, and was a dedicated and hard worker throughout his life.

He was diligent and precise in his work, and took pride in the many homes and other buildings he built over the years.

Remembering Andy though, involves not a long life legacy, but rather a few thoughtful words to describe the man behind the blue eyes: honorable, generous, kind, humorous, optimistic, faithful and above all else, loving.

Andy was that person who, when you met him, was an instantaneous friend. He was loyal to a fault, and essentially was everyone’s, “Uncle Andy.”

His loving wife, Mary June Babyak, died on June 7, 2016 after having been married on April 18, 1964.

Their love story began at a Polka Dance in Irvington, NJ, where Andy saw June, tapped her on the shoulder and asked if he could have the next dance. They danced the night away and since that evening danced the rest of their lives together; and are most certainly now dancing again in heaven.

Though not having any children of their own, Andy and June both thought of their nieces and great nice and great nephews as their children and grandchildren. They were so proud of all their accomplishments and to Andy, the most important time was family time. Family time always included a hearty meal and hopefully a Rutgers game, as Andy was a big fan.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a sister, Margaret Lohsen; an uncle and aunt, Albert and Helen Zajac; and his close cousin, who was like his brother, Albert Zajac, Jr.

Surviving are his cherished nieces, Barbara and her husband, Robert Erkman, and Diane Perrot; his loving great niece and great nephews, Alexandra Erkman and Nicholas and Andrew Perrot; a sister-in-law and her husband,  Sylvia and Joseph Vybihal; a brother-in-law, Peter Skunda; and many friends.

The family would like to extend a special and sincere thank you to all who have helped Andy during his final months, especially Hunterdon Hospice and his primary nurse, Bernie.

A celebration of Andy’s life will take place on Thursday, July 19, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

Entombment with his beloved June will follow in St. Magdalen Mausoleum, North Main Street, Flemington, NJ

Andy will lie in repose at the funeral home on Thursday from 10:00-11:00 a.m. where family and friends are invited to help celebrate the life of this most caring man.

Following the committal prayers at the Mausoleum, all are invited to Capuano’s Restaurant, Church Street, Flemington, NJ for a meal in Andy’s honor.

Please visit his permanent memorial site at www.wrightfamily.com where one can light a candle and leave a message of condolence and words of comfort, as well as share stories and photographs of his life.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Hunterdon Hospice, 2100 Wescott Drive, Flemington, NJ 08822.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned and operated “Life Celebration Home”