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The 73-year-old former coach, educator, writer and historian died last week.
"Jack was really one of the kindest and most generous people that you're ever going to meet," Saddle Brook Mayor Robert White told Daily Voice. "He was always friendly. He could talk your ear off, but he'd always have something nice to say about everyone."
Wasdyke spent much of his life in school. He was principal of Franklin Elementary School, vice principal and curriculum director at Saddle Brook High School, acting superintendent of the district and principal of Helen I. Smith Elementary School. He retired in 2000.
Salvatore Cusmano, who worked with Wasdyke for many years in the school district before recently retiring himself, called his former colleague a leader.
"He would visit parents and students at home on a regular basis to help get them on the right track," Cusmano said.
Among his other interests, Wasdyke coached track and field while teaching at Pascack Valley High School.
He also served as vice president of the Saddle Brook Free Public Library Board of Trustees and as the township historian. He wrote the book “Saddle Brook: A Portrait of Our Past,” plus historical articles for the municipal website.
Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday at Vander Plaat-Caggiano Funeral Home, 13-31 Saddle River Road in Fair Lawn. Visiting hours are from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday.
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