John Michael Totaro III

John was born on December 28, 1946 in Jersey City, to Ann (Santorsola) and the late John M. Totaro Jr. He grew up in Teaneck, graduated from Teaneck High, and went on to fulfill his dream of becoming a doctor. He earned a biology degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University then attended medical school at the Universidad Autonomo de Guadalajara, Mexico, and completed a Fifth Pathway at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. John’s post-graduate training was completed at Hackensack University Medical Center. In 1980 he was Board Certified in Internal Medicine, joining the staff at Hackensack University Medical Center and Holy Name Medical Center.

On August 30, 1969, John married his high school sweetheart, Clarice Gregoire, with whom he had five children: Danielle (King) and husband Richard, of River Vale; twins Michael, of Hackensack, and Jason, of Edgewater; Allison (Krenn) and husband Patrick, of Washington Township; and Lindsay, of Hackensack. When the family moved to Maywood in 1981, John opened a private practice in his home. Patients fondly remember hearing the children laughing and playing beyond the office walls, which confirmed that the caring environment John created in his practice was practiced at home as well. The love that could be counted on from John was the quality that made him stand out among even the very best physicians.

Over the years, John volunteered in his community, serving as the physician for the Borough of Maywood Fire Department and co-physician for the Maywood Police Department, as well as being a member of the Maywood Board of Education for two terms. His early committee appointments and professional experience include utilization reviews at both Holy Name MC and Hackensack UMC, as well as being past chairman of the Medical Records Department at both hospitals. In 2003, John teamed up with the Peer Review Organization of New Jersey to design Preventive Care Flow Sheets for use in physicians’ offices.

More recently, he was the Director of Multidisciplinary Rounds, and at the time of his death was the Director of Medical Operations, Office of Medical Affairs at Hackensack UMC.

John loved the Lord, and was a contributing member of several churches in his lifetime. He also found time for hobbies, especially golf with his buddies, cycling, and spending weekends down the shore with family.

Besides his devoted wife and children, John is survived by his mother, Ann; his sisters Michele Wall, of Oakland, and Andrea Krueger and husband Kurt, of Montvale, and his brother Robert, of Maywood; his sister-in-law Yvonne Edgerton and husband Michael, of Howell; as well as many loving nieces and nephews.

Of special mention are his grandchildren Gianna, Isabella, Chloe, and Ryan, whom he loved dearly and who in turn delighted in their Pop Pop.

John’s generosity, kindness, humility, and unfailing professionalism and care for his many, many patients were hallmarks of his character. Many were fortunate to know him as a friend or physician, and everyone knew he was a loving husband, father, son, uncle, and brother. Countless people consider him one of a kind, and he will be sorely missed.

The family would like to express their appreciation to Hackensack University Medical Center and the Villa Marie Claire of Saddle River for the high quality of their loving care for not only John but for his entire family.

Visitation will be on Sunday, June 23, from 2 to 8 o’clock p.m. at Becker Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, June 24, at 10 o’clock a.m. at Holy Trinity Church, 34 Maple Avenue, Hackensack.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lustgarten Foundation, www.lustgarten.org.