Peter P. Behlau

Peter Paul Behlau of East Brunswick and Old Bridge, NJ passed away on July 9, 2026 at the age of 68. He was born on May 20, 1958 in Allenstein, Germany (now Olsztyn, Poland) to Angelika (Mischke) and Bernhard Behlau. At 3 years old, he emigrated with his family (as German national minorities) from communist Poland to Gaggenau, Germany. A little over a year later, his family applied for and received permission to immigrate to the United States via Ellis Island. They first settled in North Brunswick, NJ, then a few years later, moved to Spotswood, NJ where his parents purchased a modest home. While in middle school, Peter and his family became naturalized citizens. Peter assisted his father, a master stonemason, in building their brick home on 2.5 acres in Old Bridge, NJ. He attended Syracuse University’s architectural program for three years before working for an architectural firm near Princeton, NJ. Peter later joined his father as co-owners of Behlau Construction LLC. He brought creative design and detailed blueprints to his father’s high quality building and construction standards. Peter was “the rock” for his family, friends, and clients. He provided unwavering support for his family. He shared whatever he had with his family and friends, and with his quiet presence offered comfort and strength. Over the course of two years, Peter and his father rebuilt a heavily fire-damaged historic Victorian home in Belmar, for his parents new home. Peter was always the go-to for family and friend’s home repairs, and sought out by clients for beautiful and elegant design, repairs and construction. In addition, Peter was a natural athlete and he enjoyed sharing cool/classic movies and cars. He enjoyed piling into the car with family to go to the latest blockbuster. He appreciated well-made food, clothes, and quality craftmanship. Despite his own life becoming increasingly unpredictable, difficult, and debilitating from an eight year battle against complications from colorectal cancer, he became the primary caregiver for his parents and continued to provide support to family and friends. Throughout it all, his kind, loving, generous, and magnanimous soul shown through his gentle, caring smile and brilliant blue eyes. Our Peter has followed his beloved deceased mother, Angelika (Mischke) Behlau who passed in 2025. He is survived by his father, Bernhard Behlau, and his sisters, Monika Veronika Ozcelik with her husband Dogan of Old Bridge, NJ and Irmgard Behlau of Westwood, MA; his nieces and nephew, Suzan Erin Ozcelik (Austin, TX), godchild Kathryn Viktoria Martin (Lander, WY), Sibel Deniz Ozcelik (Baltimore, MD), Jacqueline Nicole Martin (Cambridge, MA), Erol Hikmet Ozcelik (New York, NY), and his extended family in Germany. Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 10 AM, beginning with an open gathering from 9-10 AM at the Church of Saint Anselm, 1028 Wayside Road, Tinton Falls, NJ. Burial will follow at the Holy Cross cemetery, 840 Cranbury – South River Road, Jamesburg, NJ 08831. In lieu of flowers, please extend your kindness in a donation to your favorite charity or Church of Saint Anselm, Tinton Falls, NJ.

Peter P. Behlau

May 20, 1958 - July 9, 2026