John D. McEwen

John D. McEwen

AGE: 92 • North Plainfield

John D. McEwen, 1919-2012, peacefully passed away January 31, 2012. Jack was born September 20, 1919 in Wichita, Kansas and grew up in Westfield, N J. Jack resided for 56 years in North Plainfield in the house he built by himself. Jack worked as a Senior Technician for Union Carbide for 32 years. He continued working first for Teleprinter, and then for his son Ken at Independent Overhead Door. Having been brought-up in the floral business, he worked many years as well for Von Graff and Klotz Florist. Jack was a First Sergeant in Pattons' Third Army during WWII, and saw continuous action. Jack was the proverbial "Jack of All Trades" who spent his life helping others whenever and however he could. He was an excellent storyteller, and life-long student of history. Jack was the proud patriarch of an extended family, and as such will be dearly missed.

Jack was preceded in death by his father and mother, James and Sylvia McEwen, and his brother Al. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Joan (still in the house that Jack built), his daughter Kathryn, and her husband William Arrison of Milford, sons, David and his wife Shirley of Missoula, Montana, and Kenneth and his wife Sharon of Readington, seven grandchildren, Jennifer Arrison, Mary Vincent and her husband Tom, Jill Spohn and husband Chris, Erin McEwen and husband Dmitri, Mattew McEwen, Sean McEwen, and Emma McEwen. Also six great grandchildren, Stephen, William, Jack, Douglas, Audry, and Margret.

The Family has chosen to celebrate Jack's life privately. Donations in honor of Jack should be to The Salvation Army. Arrangements are by the Scarpa Funeral Home of North Plainfield.