John Walter Witkowski

(Home News Tribune)

JOHN WALTER WITKOWSKI
SOUTH BRUNSWICK
John Walter Witkowski was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on April 15, 1932. He served in the Korean War as a Radio Operator and in Special Services as an entertainer for the troops. A Private First Class upon discharge, he met the love of his live, Sonia Pisarek, at a church dance at St. Joseph's in Philadelphia. It was "love at first sight." John then enrolled at Temple University on the G.I. Bill and completed his four year degree in just two and half years, while simultaneously working parttime as a shoe salesman for Sears. After graduating, his chosen career path was in a new technology called "television." John was first recruited for a position with WFIL-TV in Philadelphia where he was a television news editor and got involved in organizing the union. He was next employed by ABC-TV News in New York City where he worked as a Motion Picture and Television Editor. After editing many award-winning documentaries and news stories, John retired from ABC after 37 years. In addition to working at ABC, John's personal interests included modeling and entertaining with music. He performed under the stage name of John DeWitt and sang in clubs which included Dangerfields, Copacabana, Studio 54 and at hotels in the Catskills and Florida. John also enjoyed traveling cross country with his family and taking sight-seeing trips for extended amounts of time. John was a member of the Motion Picture Editor's Guild, the American Volksport Association, and the South Brunswick Senior Center where he often appeared in many of their shows. John spent the remainder of his days at home on Hospice with his wife, his family and his strong faith.
He is survived by his beloved partner in life, Sonia, his wife of 53 years; his four children, Dianne Parker, Darlene Taylor, John S. Witkowski and Deirdre Rajoppi; three son-in-laws, Bill, Stephen and Scott; one daughter-in-law, Beverly, and nine grand-children, Amanda, Alexis, Michael, Sarah, Trey, Bethany, Caitlyn, Talia and Moriah.
The Funeral service will be held 5:00 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 15, 2010 at the M.J. Murphy Funeral Home 616 Ridge Road at New Road, Monmouth Junction. Friends may call on Monday, Feb. 15, 2010, from 2:00 p.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Burial will be private in the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veteran's Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers you may send donations to the South Brunswick Senior Center at 570 Ridge Road, Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852.