John J. Loiacono

John Joseph Loiacono

Johnny Butch / Poppy / Papa John

April 3, 1934 – November 16, 2023

Born in Jersey City, John worked at his family’s butcher shop before joining the United States Marines in 1954 where he proudly served his country as a sharpshooter in the Korean War. An avid sportsman he played fast pitch softball, golf, and football. He was a championship pool player, bowler, and expert horseback rider. John moved his family to Toms River in 1970, where he lived a full and happy life. Quick with a smile or a joke, he was helpful and kind, humble and gracious. He was one of the nicest, most generous people you could ever hope to know.

John touched the lives of everyone he met and leaves behind a legacy of selfless service to his community.

A champion of Veterans causes, John served as Vice Commander of the American Legion Post 129, was a member of the Legion Riders, worked with Disabled American Veterans, and participated annually in both the Veterans and Memorial Day Parades. He volunteered his time collecting food for area food pantries, providing medical transportation for veterans, conducted Vet to Vet weekly in-home visits and participated in the reading of the poem Come for Me at the annual POW/MIA Ceremony. John was appointed to the Toms River Veterans Commission by Mayor Thomas Kelaher, where he was honored to serve for 10 years.

John was a Life Member and Chaplain for the Toms River Regular Republican Club, where he took great pride in leading his fellow members in prayer. At the age of 87 he ran for a seat on the Toms River Council because in his words “Veterans and Seniors deserve a voice in the fight to preserve the character of our town.” A selfless person that truly gave all that he could, the world was a better place because of John.

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, son, uncle and friend, John died peacefully at home surrounded by family whose love for him was and always will be immeasurable. John is survived by his wife Catherine “Cathy” Loiacono whom he was married to for 63 years. Daughters Geraldine “Geri” Ambrosio and her husband Craig Ambrosio, Lisa Fiore and her partner Paul Chrzanowski, four amazing grandchildren whom he adored, Mark Fiore and his wife Arianna Fiore, Kate Kounas and her husband Stephen Kounas, Alexandra “Ali” Fiore, Craig John Ambrosio and his partner Lauren Pellegrino, and his precious great grandchild Mark John Fiore, who filled his final days with so much joy. John was devoted to his family and was the best father and grandfather we could ever have wished for.

John is also survived by his brother Robert, sisters, Maria, Carol, Roberta, Anastasia, Francis, and Louise, numerous nieces, and nephews and countless other family members and friends that absolutely meant the world to him.

John’s viewing will be held on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 from 3-8 pm @ Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home, 703 Main Street Toms River, NJ 08753.

To preserve John’s legacy please support our Veterans.

Wounded Warrior Project, support.woundedwarriorproject.org * Tunnel to Towers Foundation, dogood.t2t.org * Disabled American Veterans, help.dav.org * Marine Toys for Tots Foundation,

secure.toysfortots.org