John N. Kolesar

My husband Basil worked for John at the Department of Community Affairs back in the early 1970's. After intemperately threatening a local mayor, who was balking at supporting the state model cities program in his city, that the Department might pull important funding if he didn't cooperate, John stepped in and smoothed things over. Then John wrote Basil a short note, which he posted proudly on the wall of his office for all to admire. It said: "What the Commissioner giveth, only the...

One of the greatest storytellers I've ever known, but the world has many story tellers. John made other people great story tellers, and that's a rare quality indeed. He loved New Jersey passionately, and he persuaded me to love it too. Knowing John was a privilege.

I so enjoyed John´s wry wit, caustic comments, incisive remarks, and great trumpet playing!

The best boss I ever had and one of the best teachers. His was a life well-lived.

Hey, Kolesar kids: You might reach out to the Administrator of the Bergen Record retirees Facebook page to ask if you could be accepted as a member. That way, you can see all the nice things former coworkers posted about your Dad, who was an AMAZING man. A true iconoclast. I learned so much from him!

Thank you, Rose.

Condolences to Nina and the entire Kolesar Family.