Obituary of William Stanley Dyke

William Stanley Dyke Beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. South Plainfield: William (Bill) Stanley Dyke, our Dad, passed away at home early Sunday morning, September 27, 2009, approximately one year after the passing of Helen Katherine (Garrison) Dyke, his wife and our Mom. He was 89. His parents were William Frederick and Selina (Cox) Dyke. He was born on December 17, 1919, in Irvington and grew up in Maplewood, New Jersey, where he graduated from Columbia High School in 1937. Dad met Mom while working in Newark, New Jersey, at the Stove Manufacturing Company. He was employed there from 1937 through 1942, the year he was drafted into the army. Mom and Dad married on August 15, 1943. Prior to Dad being shipped overseas, Mom followed him around the United States as a "war bride." They lived in several states during this time: California, Kentucky, and Tennessee to name a few. After the war, they moved to The Jersey Shore in Waretown. Dad had served as a tech sergeant/administrative NCO and was awarded The Asiatic Pacific Theatre of Operation Medal, a Bronze Battle Star, as well as a Good Conduct Medal. Dad secured a job with Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) in Sewaren, and finally settled in South Plainfield where he and Mom started a family. When Dad retired after 35 years with PSE&G, he was in management as a Planner and Coordinator. Around the house, he was quite the electrician—there wasn't anything an extension cord and some "goop" couldn't fix. Dad was a talented musician. He played several instruments, including banjo, guitar, and his favorite - the piano. Prior to WW II, Dad was the conductor of a 14-piece band called Bill Dyke & The Silver Crest Orchestra, a popular group that performed area gigs. They played all the Big Band sounds. When the war began, the orchestra disbanded as its members were called to duty. We were so fortunate to have grown up with Dad's humor, creative talents, and gift for story-telling. Here are some of our favorite memories: As kids, we used to beg him to play the boogie-woogie so we could dance around the piano. He would make us laugh with all his stories - we learned that he used to be a "cowboy" and "circus ringmaster." Without Dad, we would never have known the character, "Joe from New York," or had "fligasmoles and trumpsanamagies" for dinner." He could make the car "fly" with the push of a button on the dashboard. Once we heard the sound [The sound was air whistling through the rack on top of the car when Dad reached a certain speed.], we knew it was just a matter of time until the car took off. Mostly this happened on our way down the shore where he shared with us his love for the beach, boardwalk, ocean, boating, and fishing. There was the time when Dad claimed he owned the parking lot next to what used to be the Casino Pier salt water pool in Seaside Heights. He would tell his friends that if they just mentioned his name, they could park there for free. Needless to say, they couldn't, and his friends would return from their trip a little miffed—not because of the free parking—but because Dad had pulled a good joke on them. Dad used to stop at the Kohr's Frozen Custard stand on the Seaside boardwalk for a black-and-white milk shake. We would ask him what time he was leaving to head home, he would reply, "about 17." Some of the stuff never made sense but we loved it the last time just as much as the first. Years later, we discovered that "17" actually referred to his PSE&G Boiler Repair Mechanic Registration Issue #17. When we had friends over for dinner, we could hardly wait for him to do his balancing act. We would wait patiently for him to fall out of his chair at the dinner table, and when he did, it was a blast. William leaves behind his loving children: Sharon Patricia Dyke and partner Barbara Hals of Lovettsville, VA, Robin Jil Dyke and husband Vinnie Stagnitto of South Plainfield, and Glenn Garrison Dyke and wife Debra of Brick Township. He will be deeply missed by his four grandchildren: Rachel Elizabeth Deluca and husband Todd Deluca, Logan Reid Dyke Stagnitto, Lark Arielle Dyke Stagnitto and Lauren Nicole Dyke, and by his triplet great-grandchildren: Ella Grace, Nicholas Vincent and Payton Elizabeth Deluca. In addition, he also leaves behind favorite cousins, Ruth Magley of Point Pleasant Beach, William Bell of Texas, and special godchildren as well as favorite nieces and nephews. On Saturday, October 24, 2009, a memorial service will be held at the McCriskin-Gustafson Home for Funerals, 2425 Plainfield Avenue, South Plainfield, NJ 07080 at 10:30 AM, which will be followed by a Repass/Celebration at Vincenzo's Restaurant, 665 Bound Brook Road in Middlesex at 12:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill's name can be sent to Haven Hospice, JFK Medical Center Foundation, 65 James St., Edison, New Jersey 08817.