John Walter Klimkowski Jr. Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

John W. Klimkowski, Jr. a resident of Lower Bank, NJ for the past 17 years, passed away on Monday, May 16, 2022, at the age of 77. Born on February 7, 1945, at Abington Memorial Hospital in Northeast Philadelphia Pa., he is the son of John Sr. and Maryann (nee Wadas) Klimkowski. John was the eldest of five siblings: Theresa (John Shirey); Elaine (niece Wendy), Frances Blum (niece Carrie) and Cyndy (Ron Welsh). John was raised on the family produce farm where he spent most of his life living in Jacksonville (Springfield Twp) New Jersey. He attended All Saints Parochial School in Burlington, NJ. In 1963, John was a member of the first graduation class of Northern Burlington County Regional High School in Mansfield Township, NJ. John entered military service in 1965 with the U.S. Army completing Basic Training at Fort Dix, NJ; Jump School at Fort Benning, GA and Field Artillery training at Fort Sill, OK. He then deployed with the 173rd Airborne Brigade “Sky Soldiers” to Viet Nam in 1966. Upon returning from Viet Nam, he was transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve completing his obligation in September 1971. John tended to the family farm before joining the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 542 in 1976. He spent nearly his entire career as a heavy equipment operator for Henkels & McCoy, Inc as the leading ‘by name request’ for all construction projects. John was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Holy Cross Post 417 Catholic War Veterans, where he played Santa Claus for approximately 35 years, and a member of Post 0115 The American Legion. John met his first wife, Kathleen V. (nee Harrington) Klimkowski (deceased) in 1964 and were married in September 1968. They remained married until her battle with cancer ended in August 2000. John had four sons with Kathy: John III (Caroline nee Hall), Michael (Michelle Fiorito), Andrew, and Thomas. John’s grandchildren include Kaity Kaczor (Jordan) and Isabella Klimkowski, and one Great Grandson, Wyatt Kaczor. During their marriage, John and Kathy enjoyed family gatherings, hunting, events at the Catholic War Veterans, traveling and visiting historic sites while raising their sons who are forever grateful for preparing them for life. In 2001, John met Shirley Corson and they wed in 2005. Both John and Shirley enjoyed the simple things in life, such as auctions, flea markets, farm fairs, and special friends at the American Legion. Shirley’s children, who also loved John very much, are Deborah Fortin (Bill), Beverly Craft (Dave), and David Craft (AnneMarie). Her grandsons are Eric Fortin and Jayden Craft. John will be forever missed but never forgotten. His kindness and jovial sense of humor will be remembered by everyone who had the pleasure of being in his company. A farmer at heart, John loved nature, animals, and his family. Friends and Relatives are invited to visit with John’s family on Friday, May 20th from 5-8pm and 9-10am on Saturday May 21st at Perinchief Chapels, 438 High Street, Mount Holly NJ, 08060. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday May 21st at 10:30am at Sacred Heart Church, 260 High Street, Mount Holly NJ 08060. Interment at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery will be private. In lieu of Flowers, donations can be made in John’s honor to Tunnels to Towers Foundation - https://t2t.org/ or All Saints Church in Burlington, NJ.

John Walter Klimkowski Jr.

February 7, 1945 - May 16, 2022