John Volpe

John was born on November 1, 1933 in Jersey City, NJ, the sixth of John and Catherine Volpe’s nine children. When his father died suddenly, John left school early to help support his family. A proud veteran, he served stateside in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956. He worked for Western Electric, and later AT&T, for many years, starting as a forklift driver. After excelling at an aptitude test, John was selected for a training program to become a computer operator, and worked in computers for the remainder of his career. After his retirement from WE, John worked in IT at the Atlantic Federal Credit Union in Kenilworth, NJ.

At age 19, John met 17-year-old Joan Tekula and the connection was immediate. On their second date, he presented her with a silver ID bracelet inscribed with “John loves Joan,” and he surely did. Wed on September 28, 1957, their 63-year marriage was a genuine partnership that grew out of true love, friendship, and mutual respect.

In 1968, John and Joan bought their first house and moved with their three daughters from Jersey City to Union, NJ. They lived there happily until 2001 when they retired to Smithville. John was a diehard do-it-yourselfer and over the years he worked tirelessly to renovate and maintain their homes.

John was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan, so it was a dream come true in the 1990s when he was able to meet and talk with Stan “the Man” Musial at a baseball card show. He also was active in his retirement community’s stickball, softball, and volleyball leagues. The most important thing in his life, however, was always his family. John was a loving and supportive father to his daughters and a warm, fun, and funny grandfather. His grandchildren could count on John to attend all their performances and sporting events, help build Pinewood Derby cars, play Pretty Pretty Princess, and stick the bows from their Christmas presents on his head.

Predeceased by his parents and siblings Albert and Joseph Volpe, Terri Bartik, Jean Auth, and Catherine Mitolo, John is survived by his devoted wife Joan; daughters Diane Fisher (Randy), Susan Barone (Jerry), and Joannie Volpe; grandchildren Corinne and Christopher Fisher, Gerardo Barone, and Serena and Mirella Columbro; siblings Paula Farrell, Nancy Hennelly (Donald), and Robert Volpe (Rae); and many nieces and nephews.

Because of COVID-19, funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.