Obituary of Brett Edward Thomas Hockenjos

On Tuesday, March 16, 2021, Brett Hockenjos, age 39, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Manalapan, NJ. Brett was a loving and devoted father, son, husband, and brother.

Brett was born on August 12, 1981 in East Brunswick, NJ to Georgia and Thomas Hockenjos. He graduated from East Brunswick High School in 2000 and was the captain of the Group IV State Runner-up soccer squad. Brett attended The College of New Jersey where he majored in Special Education and also played on the soccer team. After graduation, Brett continued his education and received a graduate degree from that same school. Through continued hard work and further education Brett worked his way up to be the principal of The New Road School of Parlin, where he had started working as a Teachers Aide during summers in high school. He was adored and respected by co-workers, students, and their parents. Brett was also a dedicated family man who was always involved with activities that involved his daughter Shayne, most recently being the Assistant Coach of her soccer team in Manalapan.

Since the moment Brett came into the world, he has had an inescapable passion for life. He poured his enthusiasm into everything and everyone he touched. He toured the country playing soccer, and he changed the world for many as the principal of a special education school. He made friends for life, always put family first, and made jokes that will last generations. To know Brett is it feel a great love and have a support like no other. When Brett walked into a room, you were reminded what fun there was to be had in life. 

Brett is preceded in death by his father, Tom and grandparents Edward and Georgina Kelly and Conrad and Helen Hockenjos. He is survived by his mother Georgia, daughter Shayne and step-daughter Nicole, wife Beth, brother Chad and sister-in-law Janna, mother-in-law Linda French, and several beloved aunts, uncles, cousins and nieces and nephews.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the family will be holding a private funeral service at Freeman Manalapan Marlboro Funeral Home on Saturday, March 20. In lieu of gifts and flowers, please make any donations in Brett’s honor to:

American Forests: https://give.americanforests.org/ways-to-give/memorial-gift-trees/

Special Olympics: https://www.specialolympics.org/