John Katzmann

Beloved husband of Sylvia (Butner) Katzmann for more than 68 years. Devoted father of Robert (Jennifer), Gary, Martin (Stacey) and Susan (Neil). Loving grandfather to James Horner, Nicole Horner, Spencer Katzmann, Samantha Katzmann, Jessica Katzmann and Jeremy Katzmann. He was born in Wurzburg, Germany in 1926, and escaped with his mother from Nazi persecution in 1941, arriving in New York. He attended Benjamin Franklin High, graduating second in his class and was salutatorian. From 1944 to 1946, he served in the United States Army (Signal Corps), based in the Philippines and Japan. Attending New York University School of Engineering at night on the GI Bill, he attained the degree of Bachelor of Electrical Engineering. For some 40 years, he worked in the supervisory position of quality control manager at Freed Transformer Company, first in Manhattan and then in Ridgewood, Queens. Later, he worked at Electronic Transformer Company in Patterson, New Jersey, and, into his eighties, as a consultant to Pico Electronics in Pelham, NY. He had a brilliant analytical mind and a gift for precision. He and his family lived in Forest Hills, Queens from 1959-1993. In 1993, he and wife Sylvia moved to Fort Lee, New Jersey, where he continued to reside until his passing. Believing that a strong system of public education was necessary to preserve democracy and the American freedoms he cherished, he was a vigorous supporter of public schools, serving in the 1960s in volunteer roles as legislative chairman and vice-president of the United Parents Association. Everyone he encountered was touched by his goodness, kindness, concern for others and humanity. Doing everything he could for his family, he led an exemplary life.

Shiva will be held Saturday evening, March 9, from 7:00-9:00pm at 5 Horizon Road, Building #1,Fort Lee, New Jersey. Please drive up to the entrance and ask the doorman for a parking pass, noting you are attending an event in the community room. Please ask the doorman to direct you to the best available visitor parking.

As construction is limiting parking at the Horizon House complex, please consider carpooling to the shiva. If taking mass transit, NJ Transit bus 156R from the Port Authority stops at Horizon Road right after the Bellmeade Avenue stop.