John J. Tighe

John J Tighe Jr. born February 4, 1935, in West New York, NJ to John and Edna Tighe passed away January 26th, 2023, in Hobe Sound, Florida. John aka “Smiling Jack,” “Jetty Jack,” and most recently “Singing Jack,” attended St. Joseph’s Catholic High School where he captained both the football and basketball teams. Jack went on to Montclair University where he was a star center, captain of the football team and president of his fraternity, AGORA. While at Montclair, Jack met the love of his life and wife of 65 years Camille Spino Tighe.

Jack was offered his first coaching job in 1959 by one of his former football coaches, which was the start of an illustrious coaching and educating career spanning over 30 years. When Ocean Township High School opened in 1965 Jack welcomed the opportunity to build a team. As head coach. Jack and the Spartans went on to become the 1968 and 1970 Shore Conference Champions. He was named Coach of the Year by the Asbury Park Press in 1968 and Coach of the Year for the state of New Jersey in 1970 by the NY Daily News. In 1978 he was honored for Outstanding Contributions to the Coaching Profession by the NJ Interscholastic Coaching Association. Through the decades Jack had the opportunity to coach and mentor thousands of students. His commitment to education led him to earn his Master’s from Seton Hall University. Later in his career Jack became principal of OTHS and finally assistant superintendent before retiring in 1994.

As dedicated as Jack was to his coaching and teaching career, he was 100% committed to his wife Camille and their three daughters, taking them camping across the country, skiing in Vermont or just having picnics and softball games at the local park. Upon retiring Jack and Camille moved to Bethany Beach, Delaware where they realized their lifelong dream of living on the ocean. Their beach house became the gathering place for daughters, sons-in-laws, grandchildren and friends for decades of family fun.

Jack’s later years were spent in Hobe Sound Fl where he and Camille could be found playing 18 holes and sipping cocktails at sunset. His love of Camille and family remained the center of his life until the end. Jack passed after a long fight with Alzheimer’s, which he handled with humor and grace. As time marched on he never stopped smiling and could be found singing to Jimmy Buffet and Sinatra. Jack is survived by his wife of 65 years, Camille Spino Tighe of Hobe Sound Fl, three daughters and sons-in-laws; Susan Tighe Taylor and John of Daufuskie Island SC, Jennifer Tighe Parigian & Thomas of Ocean NJ and Jacqueline Tighe Menzione & Vincent of Jupiter, Fl. Seven grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren; Tessa Taylor Trask, William and Tripp, Sabina Parigian Allen and Christian, John Menizone, Camille Taylor Pandolfo, Peter, Sulmona and Edda, Berge Parigian, Sara Parigian and Alexandra Menzione.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Noon on the 10th of February at St. Christophers Church in Hobe Sound FL. Contributions to the OTHS Jack Tighe Athletic Scholarship Fund may be made in Jack’s honor by clicking on this link: https://gofund.me/b40d202b