John G. Black

John G. Black, 77, of Seaside Park, NJ, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, March 8, 2026, following a wonderful St. Patrick's Day celebration with friends and family.

Born in Jersey City, NJ, John grew up in Roselle Park and later lived in Hillside, Wayne, Union, and Seaside Park. He graduated from Newark College of Engineering and earned his Master's degree in Engineering from Manhattan College in New York City. John worked as a Professional Engineer (P.E.) with Lee T. Purcell Associates, supporting sewer and water treatment projects for many municipalities throughout the tri-state area, including Pompton Lakes.

John is survived by his wife of 50 years, Maryann; his daughters, Amy and Erin; his son-in-law, Christopher Wright; and his beloved granddaughters, Emily and Julia. He was predeceased by his brother Tom, his mother Varian Fluke, and his father Tom "Gil" Black.

John was a natural problem-solver who loved working with his hands. He enjoyed trips to the hardware store and drawing up plans for his next project. Over the years, he renovated kitchens, inspected prospective homes, built decks, and helped friends with home repairs. (He always came home with a story after working on a project with his hilarious buddy, Charlie.) John took pride in finding a use for materials saved from previous projects and often helped neighbors by monitoring construction work and checking the work of contractors. In quieter moments, he enjoyed crossword puzzles, sudoku, and jigsaw puzzles.

John loved telling stories and sharing memories with friends and family. He often spoke fondly of his childhood and the fun he had with his Roselle Park neighborhood friends, especially his lifelong friend Frank. As a youth, John was active in the Boy Scouts and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He was passionate about water safety and became certified in lifesaving at an early age-a passion he later shared with his daughters and grandchildren. One of his favorite stories was about traveling across the country in a VW bus, camping, and rafting down the Colorado River. This experience sparked a lifelong love of road trips (and maps), and John and Maryann enjoyed many adventures together visiting national parks, taking family vacations, and traveling to see friends and relatives. John also enjoyed reminiscing about his Dodge Dart and the infamous summer in Manasquan in the 1970s. He shared many memories of his brother Tom and took pride in honoring Tom's military service, as well as the World War II service of both his father and father-in-law. He preserved and passed down family stories, photographs, and documents to his daughters-a legacy they will continue.

John and Maryann married in 1975 and began their life together in Hillside, NJ. After the birth of their daughters, Amy and Erin, the family moved to Wayne, where they lived until the girls completed school. During those years, John was an active volunteer with YMCA and USA Swimming, serving as a national-level official and starter. He drove countless carpools to swim and fencing practices and spent many hours supporting them at meets and tournaments. He was proud to see both daughters succeed in college. The family grew when Amy married Chris, with whom John had a very special bond. John was thrilled to become "Poppy" to his two granddaughters. From baby-proofing the house to building a backyard playhouse, he embraced every moment of being a grandfather. He loved spending time with the family watching This Old House or Treehouse Masters. He passed on his love of waterparks and the ocean, managing to boogie board and body surf even after his diagnosis. He enjoyed making spreadsheets and plotting the girls' height data based on his careful measurements recorded on the inside of the closet door frame.

John was a devoted husband who supported Maryann's enthusiasm for celebrations and costumes. Over the years he appeared as Frankenstein, Thor, Charlie Brown, and a Ghostbuster for Halloween. He worked as Maryann's "sous chef" often chopping vegetables or sifting flour for their Irish Soda Bread. He cherished the traditions and memories they created together, especially their annual St. Patrick's Day Parade party. Each year, their home was filled with friends and family, and John was happiest when surrounded by the people he loved, particularly this year.

Maryann is hosting a Celebration of Life Luncheon on April 4 in Seaside Park for family and friends. Please contact the family directly for more information about the location and time.

In lieu of flowers, donations in John's honor may be made to:
Friends of Island Beach State Park – https://friendsofibsp.org/donate/

Seaside Park Volunteer Fire Department

Tri-Boro First Aid Squad

Seaside Park Police Department PBA

Arrangements are under the direction of the Timothy E. Ryan Home for Funerals, 809 Central Ave., Seaside Park, NJ. Condolences may be shared at www.ryanfuneralhome.com