Dad, Son Killed In Triple Fatal Wayne Crash Were 'Inseparable'

WAYNE, NJ — Jon and Luke Warbeck were inseparable. They went camping, fishing, and rode all-terrain vehicles and dirt bikes together.

Tragically, they died together on Tuesday, victims of what authorities said was a crash caused by an intoxicated driver at a Route 23 gas station.

"They spent more time together than many fathers and sons, and they shared so many common interests," Luke's family said in his obituary.

Jon's life forever changed on Dec. 20, 2001 when Luke was born. The two had a very special relationship.

"It was clear to anyone that knew Jon, that his true passion in life was his son, Luke," Jon's family said in his obituary. "When Luke signed up for the Boy Scouts, it prompted Jon to become a Boy Scout leader."

• See related: Driver In Triple Fatal Crash Had Previous DWI Arrest, Narcan Save

Jon was compassionate, giving, and served others as a volunteer fireman in Carlstadt and Wayne, and as a member of the Moonachie EMS, the obituary states.

"He always rooted for the underdog and was always willing to defend someone, especially if they couldn't defend themselves," his family said.

Jon Warbeck, 50, of Fair Lawn, was born in Passaic and grew up in Lyndhurst and Carlstadt. He was one of five children and the only son of Patricia and John Warbeck.

As a child, Jon always liked to take things apart and spent "countless hours" building things too. He started working when he was 12 for Trylon Metal Works, which manufactured wrought iron railings.

Jon was a graduate of Bergen County Technical High School. He earned a scholarship and attended the Passaic School of Drafting and Design. He was a general construction contractor for 30 years. He founded his own construction company, Warbeck Construction, in 2013.

Luke's dream was to own a construction company like his father. He was "very enterprising," his family said. He always found a way to earn some extra money by mowing lawns or shoveling snow.

Luke, 17, of Lincoln Park, was a junior at Boonton High School.

Like his father, Luke was curious about how things worked and took apart engines to see if he could put them back together, his obituary stated.

Luke's favorite class was woodshop; one teacher said he was a "very talented woodworker," his obituary states.

Luke worked with his father from a young age and learned to work construction equipment.

"He simply loved to work and was good at whatever he set his mind to," Luke's family said.

Jon was predeceased by his father, John in 2016.

Jon is survived by his mother, Patricia; sisters Toni, Kimberly, Linda, and Dana; eighteen nieces and nephews: Jamie, Daniel, Jessica, Hannah, Brandon, Charlotte, Harper, Gemma, Rianna, Andre, Bobby, Samantha, Eva, Lily, Gabriel, Jeffrey, Jonathan, and Adrianna.

Luke is survived by his mom, Gina; grandfather Frank Elefante; grandmother Patricia Warbeck; aunts and uncles, Joseph Elefante, James Elefante, Andrew Elefante, Toni Smith, Kimberly Warbeck, Linda Riveros, and Dana Pereira; and many cousins.

A joint funeral for Jon and Luke is Sunday from 2 to 7 p.m. at Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road. A funeral service will be held at 7 p.m. at the funeral home after visiting hours.

Expressions of sympathy for Jon are asked to consider donating in his name to St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center, 575 Woodland Ave., Madison, New Jersey 07940 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memorial Processing, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis. Tennessee 38105-9959.

The family asks to consider making a donation in Luke's memory to the Pequannock Animal Shelter, 11 Washington St., Pompton Plains, N.J. 07444.

Related:

• Man Charged With Death By Auto, DWI In Wayne Gas Station Crash
• Driver Reportedly On Drugs In Wayne Triple Fatal On Route 23
• Teen Killed In Triple Fatal Wayne Crash Was A 'Fine Young Man'

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com