John J Janis

John J. Janis, Jr., 78, longtime Pequannock resident, passed away January 2, 2024 after a lengthy struggle with Parkinson's.
A man of many appetites, effortless charm, and a fearsome will, John was the rare individual who could both make a strong impression and leave a lasting one.
John was born in New York City on July 4, 1945 as the first child of John and Veronica Janis. He spent most of his childhood in Paterson and Pequannock, and miraculously graduated from DePaul Catholic High School without a lifetime of demerits.
John served his country honorably in the Air Force in the mid-to-late sixties in the intelligence services. He was stationed at RAF Chicksands in southern England, where, among other feats, he became the UK Light Heavyweight boxing champion and met his future wife and lifelong partner Brenda.
Upon returning to the States, John and Brenda were married and had two sons, Jason Luke Janis and Matthew David Janis. After working for others for a few years – and realizing that he was constitutionally incapable of doing so – he became the owner and successful operator of Butler Sign Company for nearly four and a half decades.
John was a lifelong and enthusiastic Yankees, Notre Dame, and Muhammad Ali fan, and spent many a successful hour at various poker tables throughout North Jersey. If there were ever a person who could boast of leaving nothing on the table, it was John.
Of all the many roles he inhabited in his lifetime, none brought him more pure pleasure than being a grandfather to Declan.
John is survived by Brenda Janis; his sons and daughters-in-law Jason Luke Janis and Donalea Taylor, Matthew David Janis and Jennifer Janis, and their son Declan Joseph Janis; sister Tina Wigodsky, and brother Mark Janis, and was predeceased by his sister, Kathleen Pierce.
Later in life, John became an extremely charitable person. Should anyone wish to make a donation in his name, the family suggests the following charities: The American Diabetes Association, The ASPCA, The Lupus Foundation of America, and The Parkinson's Foundation.
A private funeral will be held at Our Lady of Magnificat in Kinnelon, New Jersey, and will be followed by a family Celebration of Life in the Spring.