John Martin Van Assen

John Martin Van Assen passed away peacefully on December 21, 2020 after battling Parkinson’s Disease for many years.  Born in Long Branch, NJ and raised in nearby Tinton Falls he was the first in his family to go to college and also received his master’s degree in computer science from Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ.  He spent 25 years of his career working with Bellcore/Telcordia.   A lifelong learner, he spent extra time as a professor at Kean University, and later at York Technical College in Rock Hill, SC. 

Known to many as Coach or simply Johnny V., John was passionate in his love for progressive rock music and rarely missed a three point shot on the basketball court.  Neither matched his love for his wife of 40 years, Carol Lee Van Assen, and his children Jennifer Brunelli, Jonathan Van Assen, and Jessica Bradford along with his 6 grandchildren Sloane, Nathan, Katie, Emily, Remy, and Waylon.  He spent the last 10 years in Fort Mill, SC near his family.

A service for John will be held on Saturday, January 23 at 2PM at Saint Philip Neri Church at 292 Munn Rd East, Fort Mill, SC 29715.  A family and friends celebration of life for John will be held at a later date, still to be decided. 

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation.  (www.parkinson.org)  

Palmetto Funeral Home and Cremation Service is serving the family.

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