Otto William Vopelius
10/08/1927 - 01/07/2022

Click here to view the Funeral Service live-stream
at 12pm on Fri, 1/14

Click here to view the Committal Service live-stream
at approx. 1pm, Fri, 1/14

Otto William Vopelius

Loving Father, Grandfather & Great Grandfather

Otto William Vopelius, 94, of Toms River NJ passed away January 7th, 2022. Otto was born on October 8, 1927 in Irvington NJ to Otto and Marie Vopelius. Otto spent his life serving his country and community. After attending Union High School Otto enlisted in the Navy in 1945 and served on the Aircraft Carrier Leyte. He and his late wife Dorothy Edith married in1948 and had 2 children William & Frances Vopelius and Karen & Alan Seeland, 6 grandchildren, Jason Vopelius and his wife Laura, Sarah Westfield and her husband Christopher, Elizabeth Cusmano and her husband Adam, Maxwell Seeland and his wife Jill, Madeline Smith & her husband Kevin and Samuel Seeland,  7 great grandchildren, Boden and Mila Westfield, Luke Cusmano, Jack and Theodore Seeland, Carter and Chelsea Smith.

Throughout his life Otto was an active and caring partner in the community. Otto and Dorothy moved to Chatham Township, NJ in 1953. He joined the Chatham Township Volunteer Fire Department in 1955, actively serving for 60 years including Chief between 1959 and 1965. Other achievements included 4 time Firefighter of the Year, plus several Life-Saving and Distinguished Service awards.

Otto joined the Township of Chatham Public Works Department in1957, retiring in 1990 as Director of Municipal Development, serving as a Special Police Officer and participating in Emergency Management. He spent 28 years on the Planning Board, many years as Secretary and Vice Chairman. After retirement he served on the Board of Directors for the Fairmont Cemetery in Chatham, NJ.

Otto was devoted to his wife Dorothy and family. He loved to pass along his knowledge and was always willing to roll up his sleeves and help others. Otto enjoyed swimming in his pool, traveling to Bermuda, and spending time with family and friends. He will be missed but not forgotten. Rest in Peace Otto.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday January 14th from 10 am to 12 pm, followed by a Prayer Service at 12 pm at Wm. A Bradley & Son Funeral Home, 345 Main St. Chatham, NJ. Burial to follow at Fair Mount Cemetery, Chatham, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations in Otto’s name may be made to: Chatham Township Fire Department, 495 River Rd. Chatham Township, NJ 07928. To send the family a condolence, please visit www.bradleyfuneralhomes.com. Please only attend if you are vaccinated and masked. The service will be live streamed if you can’t attend.


Funeral Home:
Wm. A. Bradley & Son Funeral Home
Visitation Hours:
10 am to 12 pm. Friday, January 14, 2022. All guests MUST wear a Mask
Funeral:
Prayer Serivce, 12 pm. Friday, January 14, 2022. All guests MUST wear a Mask. Services will be livestreamed starting at 12 pm
Committal:
Fair Mount Cemetery, Chatham, NJ. Gravside Service will be livestreamed at 1:15 pm. Services will be livestreamed staring at 1:15 pm.
Memorial Gifts:
Donations in Otto's name may be made to: Chatham Township Fire Department, 495 River Road, Chatham Township, NJ 07928
Bradley Funeral Homes
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