Accident Victim Remembered as a 'Dear Friend'

As Parsippany Police continue with their investigation into the Sept. 14 motor vehicle accident that led to the death of a town resident, Allen Van Seters is being remembered as a man of compassion and empathy.

Van Seters died on his 53rd birthday after the green Honda he was driving along Route 46 West ended up crossing a median at a turnoff for Baldwin Road and running into a tree that fell and crushed his car.

He was taken to St. Clare's Hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Van Seters was born in Paterson on Sept. 14, 1959, to the late John and Anna Van Seters. Most recently, Allen Van Seters worked at PNY Technologies in Parsippany as a machine operator. 

Van Seters is survived by brothers John Van Seters and wife Leni-anne and Rick Van Seters and wife Ann; nephew and niece Adam and Jessica Van. He is also survived by his cousins Gary and Laura Favre and their sons, David and Sean. 

A memorial for Van Seters was held Saturday at Santangelo Funeral Home in Woodland Park. A private cremation was held at his family's request.

"Allen was a dear friend to me," said David Davis, who worked with Van Seters at PNY Technologies for more than 14 years. "We were lunch buddies, that's were our friendship became close."

Davis described his friend as "misunderstood, but ... a deeply compassionate man to people he met."

"He suffered the loss of both parents in his adult life, [so] he could relate to others with empathy," he said. "Allen had the uncanny gift of having the capacity to recognize others' feelings, especially when they were suffering. That's why Allen used laughter to cheer anyone up.

"I'm remembering Allen's uncanny humor, it came so natural to him. I will miss my dear friend, I know he is at peace now with the Father."

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Transformation Life Center.