Harold Jack Gattsek, 78, of Monroe, NJ, passed away peacefully in his sleep on November 17, 2018. Predeceased by his parents, Reuben and Bessie Gattsek and his brother, Arthur, he is survived by his daughters, Gwen Gattsek, of Alexandria, Virginia, and Beth Brennan, son-in-law Frank J. Brennan III, and his grandchildren, Michael and Meghan Brennan, of Cranbury, NJ. Born on February 19, 1940 in Washington, D.C., he lived the bulk of his life in the Northern Virginia and Washington Metropolitan area. He moved to New Jersey in 2011, where he enjoyed a close proximity to his grandchildren’s high school soccer games and impromptu visits with the Brennan family.

He graduated from Calvin Coolidge High School in Washington, D.C., and received a combined BA/JD degree from American University. He practiced law in private practice in Northern Virginia for many years before joining his brother’s title insurance company, where he worked until retirement.

His greatest joy was following his grandchildren throughout all of their various endeavors and he was looking forward to the upcoming wedding of his grandson and fiancee, Kate Johnson. A lifetime collector of stamps and antiquities, he kept busy throughout his retirement by driving to countless antique shows and volunteering at the NJ Audubon Preserve in Plainsboro, NJ and the American Red Cross.

Those close to him remember his strong convictions, his desire for those around him to be simply happy, and his most oft-repeated mantra: “It’ll be what it’ll be.”

Family and friends will gather from 6pm to 8pm Monday, November 19 at the Barlow & Zimmer Funeral Home, 202 Stockton Street, Hightstown, NJ 08520. Graveside services will be held 12pm Tuesday, November 20 at King David Memorial Gardens in Falls Church, Virginia.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the American Heart Association, at the following link: http://www2.heart.org/site/TR/FunRaiser/General?px=11814204&pg=personal&fr_id=3930