Arnold J. Rey, lifelong Denville, N.J. resident and veteran police sergeant, passed peacefully Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023 at home in Walton, where they have lived for the last 20 years. He devoted 87 years of love and dedication to his family and friends. Please keep the Rey family in your prayers.
Arnold was born Jan 6, 1936 in Carlstadt, N.J., to the late Joseph A. and Amelia [Millie] (Burkhardt) and later moved to Denville as a young boy. He graduated Rockaway High School in 1953 and continued to work in the Boonton A&P store, eventually promoted to night manager and also assisting at the Denville store location before joining the Denville Police Department in 1963.
Arnold met his wife Jane (Cochran) while in high school. He settled with his bride in his hometown of Denville (Indian Lake) in 1955 and raised their family of four children. Arnold dedicated himself to Denville. He was a police officer for over 24 years, spending most of his career as the detective sergeant retiring from the position of patrol shift sergeant in 1987.
Arnold was an avid hunter and fisherman with a passion for the outdoors and wildlife his whole life. He served on many recreational groups including a life membership in Roxbury Rifle & Pistol Club (starting from 1967) where he was president for over 30 years, and the North South Skirmish Association (NSSA) for over 20 years serving as the regiment commander sergeant major from 1994 to 2014. He served as the caretaker for the Estling Lake Corp. before later purchasing a summer camp there. Arnold and Jane moved to Walton in 2003 while maintaining their connection to Denville through their Estling Lake camp.
His proudest accomplishment was always his family. He was the doting Grandpa to nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren and loved to brag about his crew. Although we are saddened by his passing, we take comfort in knowing he is at peace and watching over his family from above.
He leaves behind beautiful memories of his loving wife Jane of 68 years, his sister Barbara (Carlson) of Astoria, Oregon, children Deborah Adams, Gene and his wife Teresa (Pruden), Scott and his wife Kathy (Groh) and Chris and his wife Lisa (Doubrava), his nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren and many more dear friends and neighbors.
His brother-in-law Larry Carlson and son-in-law William Adams passed previously.
In accordance with his wishes, funeral services will not be held at this time. The family plans to hold a Celebration of Life at a later date. The family is being assisted by Courtney Funeral Home, Walton.
