John Ralph Nesci

John Ralph Nesci

AGE: 78 • Freehold

John Ralph Nesci, 78, of Freehold, died on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014, at home after a long battle with cancer. He was a Multiple Myeloma survivor since 1990. Born in Meriden, Connecticut and raised in Newington, CT, he had lived for the past 52 years in Monmouth County, most recently in Freehold. John was a U.S. Army veteran who served in the Guided Missile Artillery from 1958 to 1962. He earned a BSEE degree from Monmouth College in 1971 and was employed by Bell Labs in Holmdel and Bellcore in Red Bank as a member of the Technical Staff for 33 years when Multiple Myeloma ended that, his first career.

Following double transplant treatment, he began his second career: Volunteering. Among the volunteer activities, John was active in St. Rose of Lima Church as a Sacristan, Eucharistic Minister, Bereavement Minister, financial assistant, Prayer of the Faithful writer, Lector and member-secretary of the Building and Grounds Committee. At Freehold Area Open Door, he was client server, Corresponding Secretary and president from 2003-2006. He volunteered at Central Jersey Blood Center as volunteer registrar for blood drives from 1996-2002. John was a member of Bellcore Chapter #99 of the Telephone Pioneers and Treasurer of Homeowners of East Freehold Township from 1980-2005.

He was an active member of numerous cancer support and advocacy groups. He was a survivor-contact for newly diagnosed myeloma patients through the Internet and by phone for CancerHope Network, International Myeloma Foundation, Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, Blood and Marrow Newsletter, and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. He was a member of the Princeton and Manhattan Myeloma Support Groups, the Blood-Related Cancer Support Group at Centrastate Hospital and at the Wellness Center in Eatontown.

John is survived by his wife, Cecilia Wildeman Nesci of Freehold and his children, Peter J. of Howell, Joseph R. and his wife Kimberly of Jackson, and Raymond A. and his wife Kelly of Jackson. He also leaves behind three grandchildren, Cynthia R. Nesci and her fiance Keith Obriwin of Carteret and Kathleen E. and Alyse M. Nesci of Jackson. John's parents, Nicholas S. Nesci and Amalia M. Nesci predeceased him. He was predeceased by his sister, Anita, in 2002 and leaves a brother, Nicholas V. of Kensington, CT.

The viewing will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5 at the Higgins Memorial Home, 20 Center St., Freehold. The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 6 at St. Rose of Lima Church, Freehold, followed by interment at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery, Freehold. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to International Myeloma Foundation, 2120 Stanley Hills Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90046, Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 3 Forest St., New Canaan, CT 06840, or St. Rose of Lima Church, 16 McLean St., Freehold, NJ 07728 would be appreciated.