John F. Hoover

Obituary of John F. Hoover

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of John Francis Hoover, who left us peacefully at his home in Madison on Monday, August 4, 2025, at the age of 83. His warmth and kindness will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

John is survived by his three children, John T. Hoover and his wife Susan, Kevin P. Hoover and his wife Janet, and Lynne Ann Hoover; nine cherished grandchildren, Ryan Hoover, Thomas Hoover, Mariam Del Valle, Sean Hoover, Johnathan Castro, Francine Galyas, Rachel Galyas, Kaylin Mattingly Hoover & Krista Torre Hoover; one brother, Robert Hoover and his wife Mary; several nieces & nephews; and many dear friends.

He was predeceased by his two siblings, Mary Ellen Karl and Greg Hoover.

Born on November 26, 1941 in Staten Island, New York, to the late John FX Hoover, Sr and Amanda Hoover (née Hackett), John was raised alongside his three siblings. From a young age, he exhibited a natural athleticism that led him to excel in sports, particularly in CYO basketball and baseball. His talent shone brightly when he earned a spot on the Babe Ruth Juniors baseball team in the early 1950's. A lifelong sports enthusiast, John was a devoted Yankees and Rangers fan and held a special place in his heart for Notre Dame football and the San Francisco 49ers.

John went on to earn his bachelor's degree in economics from Fordham University, and his MBA in marketing and management from Golden Gate University.

Family and community were the cornerstones of John's life. He cherished his children deeply and took immense pride in his grandchildren, who brought him endless joy. John moved to Madison almost 25 years ago, primarily to be closer to his three children and nine grandchildren.

John lived a life marked by service above self. He was a dependable friend, always ready to lend a helping hand or offer wise counsel. His commitment to his community was unwavering; he dedicated himself to making Madison, New Jersey a better place for all its residents. John's selflessness and compassion left an indelible mark on the lives he touched and the Madison community.

Since 2008, John poured his considerable energies into a multitude of volunteer activities. Including Downtown Development Commission (DDC) as its Commissioner and Secretary. His commitment to Madison was evident every Thursday and Saturday, during the summer, where he would often be found at the Madison Farmer's Market, engaging with residents and fostering a sense of community.

John's passion for service to seniors extended to the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee, where he served as Chair and Council liaison, ensuring that the voices of seniors were heard and valued. As Vice President of the Tri-Town 55+ Coalition, dedicated to promoting lifelong living for seniors, John championed initiatives that enhanced transportation, learning, communication, and housing for older adults. His tireless advocacy ensured that seniors in the community had access to the resources they needed to thrive.

He was also an active member of the Borough's Economic Revitalization Committee and the Board of Education's Budget Advisory Committee, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to the growth and well-being of Madison's future generations.

As the Program Manager for Rotary's High School Mentoring Program, John inspired young minds, guiding them with wisdom and compassion. His involvement with the Madison Area YMCA's Member Togetherhood Committee further exemplified his dedication to fostering community connections and promoting inclusivity.

John's leadership was instrumental in the Borough's Strategic Planning Operations Committee, where he contributed to the development of the innovative rosenet.org. His tenure as the former President of the Board of Health in Madison was marked by significant improvements, including the successful reshaping of the Department of Health in a remarkably short time.

A long-term member of the Madison Rotary Club, John exemplified the spirit of service above self, dedicating his time and energy to various projects that uplifted the community. His involvement with the Madison Chatham Coalition and the Madison Alliance, both focused on addressing substance abuse among teenagers and individuals of all ages, showcased his commitment to fostering a healthier, safer environment for all residents. John was also an active participant in the Madison Mayor's Wellness Campaign, where he worked to promote health and wellness initiatives throughout the community. His dedication extended to the Whippany River Watershed Action Executive Committee, where he advocated for environmental stewardship and the preservation of natural resources. John's contributions to Madison were vast and varied, but they all stemmed from his deep love for the community and its residents. He was a mentor, a friend, and a source of inspiration to many, embodying the values of compassion, integrity, and service.

With a life-long commitment to putting service above self, John developed and initiated the Madison Rotary Club's Friends of Rotary program, served on the Club's Board of Directors, Strategic Planning, Membership Development and Service Projects Committees, to name a few, and chaired its By-Laws Committee in addition to leading numerous efforts including the Club's 2015 fundraising projects for Maggie Doyne's blinknow.org and for Officer Dave Cuozzo. John has also been a dedicated volunteer at the Market Street Mission.

Additionally, John volunteered with Bridges Outreach, which packages and delivers food and clothes to homeless in Newark and New York City, and the Morris Habitat for Humanity and the Raptor Trust. His commitment to public service dates back 25 years to his time living in San Francisco. There John served as volunteer President of the Family Service Agency of San Francisco, on the Board of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Board of the Bay Area Red Cross, and was Portfolio Chairman at United Way of the Bay Area.

John retired from full-time employment in early 2009 after having a vast career in banking services with organizations as the American International Group, National Commercial Bank, Federal Reserve Bank, Citibank, and Chase Manhattan Bank.

John had over 35 years in a variety of capacities in public and private sector financial services. He had extensive experience in marketing, sales and domestic and international process rationalization consulting.

John Hoover was not just a community leader; he was a friend, a mentor, and a source of inspiration to many. His legacy of service, kindness, and dedication will continue to resonate in the hearts of those he touched. He leaves behind a community that is better for having known him, and his spirit will forever be woven into the fabric of Madison.

In honor of John's memory, the family kindly invites all who knew him to attend the visitation to be held on Monday, August 11, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Madison Memorial Home, 159 Main Street, Madison.

A Mass of Christian Burial for John will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Vincent Martyr Church, 26 Green Village Road, Madison. Those who wish to attend the mass virtually may do so by visiting www.svmnj.org/livestream-mass

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made in John's memory to the Madison Rotary, P.O. Box 211, Madison, NJ 07940.