Randolph 'Rudy' Valentine Solar, Jr.

Rudolph "Rudy" Valentine Solar, Jr., age 68, passed away on Saturday, April 25, 2015, at the Karen Ann Quinlan Home for Hospice in Fredon. Born on June 28, 1946, in Weehawken, Rudy grew up in Ridgefield and lived in West Milford before moving to Sussex County 35 years ago.

He served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam Era. He was the owner of Solar Tire and Automotive Service in Lafayette and had been an aide for Congressman Scott Garrett for nine years. He enjoyed farming and owned one of New Jersey's first Certified Organic Farms.

Rudy was a founding member and past president of the Sussex-Wantage Taxpayers Association, a leading component of the Wantage Township Open Space Program and committee member of the Open Space Committee, the Wantage Township Republican County Committeeman, a former member of the High Point Republican Club, and was formally involved with the Sussex County 4-H. He was predeceased by his father, Rudolph Valentine Solar, Sr., in 1976. Rudy is survived by his son, Rudy Valentine Solar, III, his wife, Christine, of Wantage and their children, Rudy Valentine, IV and Rieden Valentine; his daughter, Rene Solar of Fredon; his mother, Clara Solar of California; his sister, Carol Musterer, her husband, Allan, and their son, Randy of California.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 29, 2015, at 1 p.m. at the Pinkel Funeral Home, 31 Bank Street (Route 23), Sussex. Interment will follow at Mt. Salem Cemetery, Wantage. Friends may pay their respects to the family on Tuesday, April 28, 2015, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.

Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.pinkelfuneralhome.com.