John Brede, 60, director of material management for Southern Ocean County Hospital (SOCH) and president of Healthcare Materials Management Society (HMMS) of New Jersey passed away May 30 after a heart attack, according to Stephen Faup who sat on the HMMS board with Brede.

Faup who worked with Brede for several years, said Brede made the experience enjoyable.

"Working with him was actually fun," Faup told DOTmed News.

Faup learned patience from his former board member, he said, recalling what Brede always told him: "You know, it's going to work out. It always works out."

Brede brought his friendliness to work at SOCH, where he worked with buyer Eric DeJonge. He recalls Brede's office singing.

"John was a very fun-loving guy," said DeJonge. "He came into the office singing. He was always in a good mood. He was always very positive. He put a positive spin on everything he was dealing with even if it was a negative situation."

Faup knows that Brede left a lot of friends, because when he made friends, "he kept them," he said.

Most of all, Faup remembers Brede's laugh.

"He had an infectious laugh," Faup said. "Anybody within hearing distance would go, 'Hey, John's here.'"

Brede is survived by his wife, Charlene Brede, his mother, Angela Brede, and his six children.

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