Obituary of Roy J. Helmlinger

Roy J. Helmlinger passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at St. Clare's Hospital, Denville surrounded by his loving family. He was 74 years old. Roy was born in Orange, NJ on December 25, 1946 (A Christmas Baby) to the late Dolores and Bert Helmlinger. He was also predeceased by his brother Neal Helmlinger. He graduated from West Orange High School and went on to get his teaching degree at Montclair State College. He was a beloved teacher at Parsippany High School for 39 1 /2 years before retiring in 2004, after receiving teacher of the year and being inducted into Parsippany High School's Hall of Fame. He then continued to work part-time at various auto parts stores until 2019. He was an Eagle Scout and loved golf, working in the yard (best lawn ever) planting flowers, building all kinds of things and was an excellent cook. He also loved camping with his brother Gary (remember burning that hat). He loved sitting out on the deck with his best friend Angelo while "surveying all they own" and thinking up crazy new joint projects. HE COULD BUILD ANYTHING. HE COULD DO ANYTHING. He was a kind and caring man who would help anyone who he encountered. He would go onto Rte. 80 during snowstorms with his friend Fritz to play "Highway helper" to help people stranded on the highway. He was a gentleman, in the true sense of the word, A Gentle Man. Roy was married to Bette (Vandermark) on April 5, 1969. Roy and Bette were very happily married for 18 years before their beloved Jessica was born in 1986. Roy was a devoted, loving husband and father to his daughter Jessica who she idolized and his wife Bette who loved him for 51 years. When Jessie became engaged to Marshal, we not only got a wonderful, caring son, but also a beautiful granddaughter named Ryleigh and we were now blessed to become Mimi and Pop-Pop . Roy was the kindest, most helpful, thoughtful loving man you could ever know. He was always a calming force, which fit his Ying to Bette's LOUD Yang. He was Bette and Jessie's Rock. His Happiest days were spent with Jessie and Ryleigh. He was the only love in Bette's life and he will live in our hearts forever. He will be missed by anyone lucky enough to have known him. The celebration of Roy's life will include a Memorial Service on Saturday, February 6, from 3pm to 5pm at Leber-Lakeside Funeral Home, 150 Landing Road, Landing, NJ 07850. For those wishing to make a memorial donation, the family has asked that you please make donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.