Vic graduated from Dickinson High School in Jersey City in 1964, and from Montclair State College in 1968. From 1968 to 2001, Vic taught Spanish at Ridgefield Memorial High School in Ridgefield, NJ. Vic later returned to the classroom to teach various subjects at Veritas Christian Academy in Sparta, NJ, until this past year. Vic had a life-long love of teaching, and made an impact on countless students during his long career.
Vic served as Sunday School Superintendent and youth group leader at the Newton Methodist Church in the 1990’s. He was a member of Lafayette Federated Church, where he was baptized in 2006 . Most recently, he attended Christ Community Church in Newton with his family. He was an active leader and sponsor for Alcoholics Anonymous and Celebrate Recovery.
Vic spent many summers as a counselor and office administrator at the NJ Camp for Blind Children (Camp Marcella). It was at camp where he met Lynn Layton (Bastek), to whom he was married for 25 years.
Vic had a lifelong interest in baseball. As a boy he rooted for the Brooklyn Dodgers, and for many years he claimed the Philadelphia Phillies as his favorite team. He loved listening to the “oldies” on his tapes, doing crossword puzzles, and reading biographies in his spare time.
Vic was predeceased by his brothers, Gary Bastek and Dennis Bastek. He is survived by his children, Robert Pepsis, Jr. and his wife Karen of Newton, NJ; Valarie Bastek and her fiance Jon Ito of Chicago, IL; Kelly Bastek-Jones and her husband Ben Jones of Lebanon, PA; and Mark Bastek and his wife Pamela of Swartswood, NJ. He was blessed by his grandsons Robert J. Pepsis, and James M. Pepsis and his wife Carrie; his granddaughter, Addison Layton Jones; and his great-grandchildren Hannah and Mason Pepsis. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Margaret Bastek, wife of the late Dennis Bastek, and his nephew and niece, Dennis Bastek, Jr. and Melissa Bastek, all of Newton.
Visitation will be on Friday, February 12th from 4-7 pm at Lafayette Federated Church on Route 15 in Lafayette. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, February 13th at 10 am, with private burial services to follow at Newton Cemetery. Visitation and services will follow Covid-19 guidelines.
All who knew Vic witnessed his great generosity. Therefore, in lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be directed to Christ Community Church, 274 Spring Street, Newton NJ 07860, or to a charity of your choice.
