John Dzera

John was born in Ukraine in 1928, traveling and living in over 5 European countries from 1944 to 1950. He eventually immigrated to the US in 1950 where he surprised his old childhood friend, Helen, with a visit. He hadn’t seen her since 1934, although they had stayed in touch with letters. John joined the US Army in 1952 and served in Korea, keeping in touch with Helen while there, before coming home in 1954. They married in 1955 and enjoyed a 60-year love story, 39 years of marriage and 2 sons together, before she passed in 1994. In 1995 he married Anna, with whom he shared common interests in Ukrainian affairs, music, food, customs and the Ukrainian church.

John always loved his Ukrainian heritage and customs. He was very active with St. Stephen Ukrainian Catholic Church in Toms River, including serving as Treasurer and a Trustee of the church. John was also an active member of the Ukrainian American Veterans of NJ, and spearheaded many fundraising efforts for a Ukrainian orphanage.

John is survived by his wife Anna, and his children: Paul and his wife Barbara, and Rick and his wife Linda. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Christopher and his wife Caitlin, John, Lisa, Lauren and James. He is also survived by his great-granddaughter, Isabella. He is loved by so many and will be missed so much. John’s pride and joy throughout his life was his family, which is best expressed by this message he sent a few years ago …

“How many people are so lucky to have the kind of grandchildren like me?”

A visitation for John will be held Monday, February 27, 2023 from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM at Quinn Hopping Funeral Home, 145 East Mount Pleasant Ave, Livingston, NJ 07039. A funeral service will occur Tuesday, February 28, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 719 Sanford Avenue, Newark, NJ 07106. An interment will occur Tuesday, February 28, 2023 from 11:45 AM to 12:30 PM at St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery, 280 Main Street, South Bound Brook, NJ 08880.

In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s name may be made to Hope for Ukraine https://hopeforukraine.net/ or Direct Relief-Ukraine Crisis https://www.directrelief.org/emergency/ukraine-crisis/

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.quinnhoppingfuneral.com for the Dzera family.