Obituary of Wilbur Britton Lapp

Wilbur Britton Lapp passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at St. Clare’s Hospital in Dover. He lived a life of 88 years filled with love, laughter, adventure, and unforgettable memories with family and friends. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

Born in Newark to the late Harry and Margaret Lapp, Wilbur, who went by “Will” or “Bill”, was raised in Fair Lawn alongside his twin brother, Burt. He had fond memories of his childhood when he and Burt would go to the Polo Grounds to watch the NY Giants play baseball. He often talked about his uncle’s “supper club” where some of NY Giants would go to eat and drink. Bill also had fond memories of spending his summers visiting family in Sea Girt. He graduated from Fair Lawn High School, Class of 1952. Bill then served alongside his twin brother Burt in the United States Army in the mid 50’s. After the Army, Bill eventually worked as a credit manager. He excelled in his profession and worked for many organizations throughout his career; most notably A-M Corporation, Duncan Thecker Associates, RCA, Lawn Doctor, US Mineral, Zoubek Associates, Monarch Electric, Region Oil, and Star-Lo Electric. Bill was active in the NACM, National Association of Credit Management, during his career.

Bill was an avid skier in his younger years and was involved in ski clubs along with his future wife, Patricia Condon. He married Patricia on November 4, 1961, and they honeymooned in Bermuda. They lived in many places in New Jersey including Rockaway and Wall Township, and they eventually moved to Blairstown in 1975. Bill and Pat raised two loving sons, Britt and Chris. Both boys graduated from high school in Blairstown, and Bill and Pat continued living in their Blairstown home on Gaisler Road long after both boys graduated college and had families of their own. Throughout their marriage, Bill and Pat enjoyed all this world had to offer, traveling, eating, drinking, and spending time with friends and family. They went to Broadway shows, took annual trips to the beach, attended gatherings with Pat’s family in Wyckoff and Franklin Lakes, cooked delicious meals together, spent countless hours working on their yard and gardens, and always enjoyed watching TV in the evenings (especially Jeopardy and murder mysteries on PBS). Bill was a great cook and made amazing meatballs. He always read the Sunday papers, staying up to date with the NY Times and Star Ledger. Bill also enjoyed going to the casinos with his twin brother Burt. Bill absolutely loved to travel for both work and pleasure, and his travels carried him all over the world. One of his most memorable trips was to Egypt where he cruised on the Nile and visited the Sphinx and The Great Pyramid of Giza. Bill was also a devoted man of faith. He was a member of Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church in Hope, NJ since the early 1990’s. Bill received his license to administer the chalice in 2003 from the Diocese of Newark, and he received the David Hegg II Lifetime Achievement Award from the Diocese of Newark in 2017.

Bill was predeceased by his niece Tobi Anne Lapp (Day) in 2015 and his cherished twin brother Burton Lapp in 2016. He is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Patricia; his loving sons, Britt (Anna) Lapp and Chris (Kelly) Lapp; his grandchildren, Sarah (Harold) Eckett, Danny, Derek, Elizabeth, Julianna, Oliver, and Charlotte Lapp; his caring sister-in-law, Dorothy “Dot” Lapp; and his dear cousin Betty Healey and her sons Doug and Tim Healey and Tim’s husband Jerry Hendlowitch. Bill is also survived by Pat’s extended family, many close friends and colleagues, past and current members of the Episcopal Church of St. Luke and St. Mary, and the loving staff at Mount Arlington Senior Living. Our patriarch will be forever missed, but we know that his deep faith will carry him to the life everlasting.

A Memorial Service will be held at Norman Dean Funeral Home on May 20, 2023, at 3:00pm – 6:00pm. Memorial Donations are being accepted to the Episcopal Church of St. Luke and St. Mary by way of www.inmemof.org to ensure receipt of your donation. Please leave a condolence, light a candle, and share your favorite memory of Bill here to continue to celebrate his incredible life.