Name: Visitation for John Brendon Leiter
Start: 2020-06-17T20:00:00.000Z
End: 2020-06-18T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home - Toms River

John Brendon Leiter

Toms River - John Brendon Leiter, 62, of Toms River, NJ, passed away after his battle with cancer on Friday, June 12, 2020. He was born in Bayshore, NY, the oldest of seven children. John graduated Central Regional H.S. in Bayville in 1975, then attended the University of South Florida. He served honorably in the U.S. Air Force, and was a U.S. Merchant Seaman. John also served as a union representative for the Seafarer's International Union and was a proud member of the Free and Accepted Masons. He belonged to the Harmony Lodge in Toms River. Because of his zeal for the sea and his years spent as a Merchant Seaman, John amassed a large collection of Merchant Ship paintings, photographs, charts, maps and ship models.

John's passion and love for the game of baseball began in 1967 when he joined the Berkeley Township Little League. Because of his love for the game, his brothers followed in his footsteps. He was an avid power walker and could be spotted by friends on the Seaside Park Boardwalk regularly. John was a gifted conversationalist. He captivated all with his anecdotes, stories, and philosophy of life.

John's greatest gift was love of family. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, brother, son and grandfather. He was always most caring and supportive of his daughter Jeanne's and his son John's endeavors. He and his wife Karen enjoyed almost thirty years of marriage together that became even more special as their grandchildren came along.

John was predeceased by his father Alex Leiter and his brother Karl Leiter. He is survived by his beloved wife Karen, his son John Leiter of Toms River, his daughter Jeanne Flynn and her husband Sean of Beachwood, his grandchildren Colin and Lillian, and his mother Marie Leiter of Whiting. Also surviving are his brothers Eric, Kurt, Mark and wife Anne Marie, Al and wife Lori; sister Alexia and husband Glenn; and his many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Wednesday, June 17th, from 4 to 8 PM, at the Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home, 703 Main Street, Toms River, NJ 08753. The Funeral Home will be enforcing social distancing and capacity limits will be in effect as per the governor's orders. The Funeral Service will be private at Ocean County Memorial Park on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to The American Cancer Society.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Asbury Park Press from Jun. 15 to Jun. 16, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for John Leiter

Sponsored by Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home - Toms River.

4 Entries

Jim Lowe

July 10, 2020

I am sorry for your loss. I attended Central and played ball with John in high school. I was John's catcher often as he worked very hard to be the best pitcher he could be. I remember too well the sting of his fastball in my mitt. Prayers for John's Family.

Thomas Lipinski

June 17, 2020

My thoughts and prayers are with your family! May all good memories help ease your pain!
Sincerely, Tom Lipinski

Karen & Kevin Ryan

June 17, 2020

John was our sweet neighbor and I truly enjoyed our conversations and seeing him take his power walks, walking his beloved dog Ollie, and working in the yard with his kind son John. Our hearts break for this loss to his loving wife, Karen, and his family. God bless all.

Kenneth A Block

June 15, 2020

I had not gazed upon the face of my dear childhood friend since the late 1970s until I saw his photo in this obituary. However, I knew that smile and expression as if we were still kids playing on sandlots all summer long.

I know this will sound patronizing, but I am at such a complete loss upon learning of his passing, and through this obituary, that of Karl. I am feeling especially ashamed because John left his business card with a relative of mine on Tudor Ave way back around 1990. After being given that card, I lost it on my drive back to Pennsylvania that evening.

I should have called his number immediately. I never did, and never followed up over all of these years.

Since that time I have thought of John every time I think of my summers spent on Tudor Avenue with my grandparents. Selfishly, after my National Park Service and US Fish & Wildlife Service career travelling all over the country, assuredly I felt someday when we were all retired I would get to see John again, perhaps at a reunion of our old gang.

I am so sorry to all of his immediate and extended family for your loss. I have not seen this wonderful person for over 40 years by now. He is the ONE person from my youth I most remember over so many others I grew up with. He was always there for me especially since I was lot smaller than most kids our age. Being one of the odd people out of the local gang as a summer visitor, John would pick me up virtually every summer morning with his full frame English racer bike, put me on his handlebars and ride me to whatever baseball field we would play on that day. We also played on local sandlots located along Tudor Avenue including the legendary "Pit. The movie, The Sandlot, was us in the mid-1960s to early 70s. I saw all of his younger brothers play with us, including Alois as a toddler (sorry Al, that is the only way I knew you) who would wobble along dragging his oldest brothers (from what I recall was a) first basemans mit. Either way, John and Karl kept impressing upon me the difference between mits and gloves! When it became too hot, off we went to the Pavillion beach to swim; the batting cage at Johns house or fishing in a number of places. To John's mom, your kindness and hospitality to all of us kids glows warmly still after all of these years.

We did this summer after summer, virtually every day for years as we grew up. It was John who actually set up a double date and encouraged me into my first date. I was a little older than John, but he was my big brother too in many ways. I loved him as a brother, and I am so very ashamed I never did get in touch with him all of these years. With the expectation I would see that day and relive the stories from our youth and catch up on all that has happened since his passing brings tears to my eyes and will leave a hollow place in my life. Regardless of how very long it has been, his memory will remain a vivid one as long as I live.

"Kenny" Block

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 results