John Wesley Brundridge Jr.

John Wesley Brundridge, Jr. passed away peacefully on May 13, 2025, after an extended battle with illness.
John was born on March 27, 1947 in Newark, New Jersey, where he remained a lifelong resident. At a very young age, he cultivated a deep love of music while delivering newspapers to jazz legends and shining shoes outside supper clubs. Jazz became a daily part of his life. As a teen, he excelled in athletics at Westside High School and became a member of Lambda Phi Delta. This brotherhood continued a deep connection throughout his life. A true renaissance man, John was comfortable drawing blueprints and portraits. As an independent contractor, he flourished as a carpenter, electrician, mason, and plumber. His primary employment was with Penick Corporation – a pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturer. During his two-decade tenure there, he served a term as president of the local union.
John Wesley Brundridge, Jr. meant a lot to many different people. He was known as "Wes" to his friends, "Little Wesley" to his father when caught in questionable enterprise, and "John-John" or "Mr. John" to his clients. Most of those clients had difficulty accepting his eventual retirement. He will continue to be celebrated and mourned by countless others.
John Wesley Brundridge, Jr. is survived by his wife Pearl McKinnon Brundridge, daughter Rashida Brundridge Mincey, brother Paul Brundridge, brother Donald Brundridge, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents John Brundridge, Sr. and Dollie Mae Brundridge, and sister Cora Lee Johnson.
A memorial will be held on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 from 2 to 3 PM at Woody's Home for Services, 163 Oakwood Avenue, Orange, NJ 07050.
In lieu of flowers, a donation in the name of John Wesley Brundridge, Jr. may be made to his favorite jazz radio station, WBGO 88.3 FM (Jazz 88); https://wbgo-web.memsys.com/donate. Thank you for funding jazz for the next generation