John F. Tesauro, Sr.

Beloved Trenton native, John F. Tesauro, Sr., surrounded by his family, peacefully passed into the hands of the Lord on Thursday September 23, 2021.  “Mr. T”, as he was endeared by his many friends and colleagues, was born on February 18, 1930.  A first generation Italian-American, John was the son of Domenico and Angelina (Inverso).  He was predeceased by his brothers Frank, Sam and Joe “Lefty” Tesauro, and is survived by his beloved sister Catherine Hujdich.  From his humble beginnings on Princeton Avenue in North Trenton he learned many lessons about life, work and people that would provide the foundation for a life of servant leadership to his family, friends, professional colleagues and all who knew him.  John, at the age of 10, worked to support his family by shining shoes at the Lincoln Theater to working in his uncle’s local grocery market.  He played football with the famous Bond A.A., earning accolades as a tough competitor with true grit.  A 1947 graduate of Trenton Central High School, Mr. T was a gifted athlete, destined for Penn State, performing at a high level in baseball, basketball and football, receiving a football scholarship to obtain college preparatory academics at Pennington Prep School where he excelled as a full back until 1949 when the United States Navy had other plans.  He was drafted into the Navy and during his tenure he achieved the rank of Chief Petty Officer serving in the Korean Conflict.  

Upon his return home from the US Navy, John was employed as an accountant at the United States Steel plant in Fairless Hills, PA where he was then elected President of the Steel Workers Local Union and worked tirelessly to elevate working conditions and wages for his members.  He served as lead negotiator on the National Negotiating Committee with US Steel in Pittsburgh, PA.  It was at that time that John’s innate gift for artfully handling labor and employment matters was realized. 

In the early 1960’s his journey took him back to his birthplace to serve in the election campaign and cabinet of his childhood friend Trenton Mayor Carmen Armenti.  John served as the Personnel Director for the City of Trenton employing hundreds of City workers, and setting up many unique training and employment programs, to help city residents jump start their careers.  This program soon became the model for many future successful employment programs throughout New Jersey’s cities and urban environments across the country.  

During the latter part of the 1960’s, John served as the President of the Trenton School Board through very tumultuous times when the City, and the country at large, was suffering from deep racial divisions.  Ever the courageous servant-leader, John led the School Board to a historic milestone, appointing the late Dr. Ercell Watson to be the City’s first African-American Superintendent of Schools. 

His true virtuosity as peacemaker and conciliator came to the forefront and would mark the beginning of his impactful career as a neutral.  John tested #1 on the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service’s mediator exam choosing to forego an appointment to their Cleveland, OH office and opted to stay in New Jersey.  He accepted Governor Cahill’s appointment as a Mediator for the State of New Jersey Board of Mediation.  Mr. T served in the staff mediator role for a short time before the Governor realized that his gifts for handling complex labor matters were unrivaled and extraordinary, immediately appointing him to lead the State Board as its Executive Director, a capacity he served in for nearly thirty years.  Throughout his tenure as Executive Director Mr. T settled innumerable complex and widespread labor disputes for nearly six Governors in every major industry affecting millions of unionized New Jersey workers in hospitals, transportation, sanitation, casinos, communication, law enforcement, bakery workers, trucking and more.

John’s unique talents were recognized on the national level by the United States Air Force who engaged him to train thousands of military and civilian employees in the art of dispute resolution.  He also served on numerous dispute resolution academic panels and programs around the State and around the nation.  While serving as the State Board Executive Director he organized the State’s first state-wide private sector labor-management conference bringing together leaders of industry, labor and government in a neutral setting to discuss their interests and gain a greater understanding of the state of labor relations in New Jersey.  These conferences became an annual event that labor and management professionals sought to attend and played a significant role in creating a more harmonious labor – management relationship thereby serving to keep industry moving, workers employed and the State’s interests protected.  With his broad appeal and indisputable integrity, he served as honoree for numerous organizations and charities raising money for the less fortunate and for causes that make a difference in people’s lives. 

Upon his retirement from the State Board in 2003, John accepted positions on numerous private and public sector arbitration panels in NJ, NY and PA whereupon he ignited a successful career as a professional arbitrator being named as “permanent” arbitrator on several statewide and regional Labor Agreements including the Teamsters, NJ State Police and the Revlon Companies.

In addition to a successful career as a neutral, “Mr. T” was a restaurateur, as the founder and originator of Tesauro’s Restaurant in 1967 in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ.  Along with his wife Audrey and children, Lorraine “Peachy” and John Jr., he enjoyed decades of serving customers many of whom became great friends. He was best known as the “Ambassador of Good Will” greeting customers and spending many hours chatting and asking about their lives, sharing wine and cigars while celebrating their successes or soothing their spirits.  From mentoring young staff members to greeting regulars and newcomers, “Mr. T’s” ability to make someone feel welcome in his restaurant was legendary.  He was genuinely a kind, generous and compassionate man who utilized his successes and gifts to uplift those who needed to be lifted.  

While he was “Mr. T” to his numerous friends and professional colleagues, his most cherished name was “Dad” and “Poppy” to his children and grandchildren.  Family was his life’s fulfillment and to him, was his crowning achievement.  Every moment he spent with his family was nourishment to his soul.  He enjoyed celebrating their successes and consoling them in their moments of need.  As “Dad” he was a constant presence, a pillar of courage and inspiration motivating and empowering his children to fully understand and utilize the gifts with which God provided them.  As “Poppy” he was the greatest storyteller, sharing his life, giving his grandchildren a view of the world that lay before them through the lens of experience.  Spending time with his grandchildren was his most cherished gift, and the unconditional love shared with them was his greatest pleasure.

Mr. Tesauro is survived by his loving wife of 66 years Audrey (Pocino), his two (2) children Lorraine “Peachy” Tesauro – DiCostanzo and her husband Anthony of Manasquan; and John Jr. and his wife Cathleen Cancro-Tesauro; and his grandchildren John F Tesauro, III and Michael C. Tesauro all of Point Pleasant Boro.  He is also survived by his sister-in-law Lorraine (Pocino) Chickene of Spring Lake; his brothers in law Raymond Pocino and his wife Yanira of Maryland; and Richard A. Pocino, of Point Pleasant Beach.  He is also survived by his sister Catherine Hujdich of Bordentown and many nieces and nephews.

For those wishing to honor “Mr. T,” donations may be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association - www.apdaparkinson.org

The arrangements are as follows:

Visitation is at Colonial Funeral Home, 2170 Route 88, Brick NJ on Monday (9/27) from 4:00pm – 8:00pm.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Peter’s Church, 406 Forman Ave, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ on Tuesday (9/28) at 10:00 am followed by Entombment at St. Anne’s Cemetery in Wall, NJ.