John Joseph McGuire Jr.

John Joseph McGuire Jr., 94, of Toms River, passed away at home on June 1 surrounded by caring family at his bedside.
He lived by three guiding principles: God, country and family. His presence was always felt when he entered a room and his love of life was contagious.
One of his favorite sayings: "Every day a holiday, every meal a banquet."
John was an extraordinary man who led an extraordinary life, from being a high school star athlete, Korean War veteran, legendary police officer during very turbulent years, and most importantly a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
He was the oldest of John and Bridie McGuire's five children. Born in Elizabeth and raised in the city's Frog Hollow section, John led his siblings and neighborhood children on many adventures, swam in the Elizabeth River, rode a bike off the old Recreation Pier, and even rescued a pet dog from the pound, which resulted in all the dogs escaping.
As a longtime member of the Elizabeth Police Department, his adventures continued as he delivered 5 babies, rescued children from a burning building and even gave a ridealong to Carl Bernstein before anyone had heard of Watergate – but only after he cut his hair. His service to his country even included being part of the Marines who marched into the atomic bomb testing in the desert. He loved to entertain family and friends with a myriad of stories, including one in which he was bitten by a rattlesnake. The snake died, but he ended up with a nice belt.
John and his high school sweetheart, Joan Schaffer, were married at St. Mary of the Assumption R.C. Church in 1952. They were married for 60 years, until her death in 2012, and raised their six children in Elizabeth before moving to Toms River in 1988.
A proud Marine and a natural leader, John in later years organized Marine Corps birthday celebrations for his comrades in arms at the Jersey Shore. He joined the Elizabeth Police Department in 1956 and often said of his time on the force, "I hated to miss a day of work." John became a detective in 1962 and led the Confidential Squad, graduated from the FBI's narcotics school and administered polygraph tests for law enforcement throughout the region. He retired from the department as a lieutenant in 1983 and worked another 10 years as an investigator for PSE&G in Newark.
John was a familiar figure at St. Mary's and St. Justin the Martyr R.C. Church in Toms River, where he was a longtime usher. A member of the Holy Name Society, the Lay Carmelites and the Knights of Columbus, he organized a group of adult parishioners and former altar boys to assist priests during daily Mass at St. Justin's.
As a member of the Ancient Order of the Hibernians, John was proud to march in the St. Patrick's Day parade in Newark when his mother, Bridie, was deputy grand marshal in 1969. His vacations were spent in Jamestown, R.I., in a small home he helped build in the 1950s with his father-in-law and where six generations of family have enjoyed the splendors of island summers ever since.
John was also predeceased by his parents, John and Brigid McGurie and in-laws, Everett and Ida Schaffer, his brothers, Thomas "Brut" McGuire, Charles "Bob" McGuire, and his sister, Maureen O'Connor.
He is survived by his sister, Elaine Jensen; his children, Ann McGuire; Eileen and her husband, Frank Verde; Retired Marine Col. John McGuire and his wife, Martha; Patricia R.N. and her husband, Bill Grande; Retired Coast Guard Capt. Timothy McGuire and his wife, Leslie, and Marie and her husband, Joseph Krupinski; 14 grandchildren, Corinne, Brian, Eileen and her husband Mike, Christine and her husband Nick, Megan and her husband Dave, Katie, Sean, Matthew, Grace, Patricia (Patrick), Krystyna, John, Owen, and Molly; three great-grandchildren, Audrey, Sophia and Evan; and many friends and relatives.
The family wishes to thank Bayada Hospice, especially Pat and Eva.
Relatives and friends will be received on Sunday, June 9, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Timothy E. Ryan Home for Funerals, 995 Fischer Blvd., Toms River. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Monday, June 10, 9:30 a.m. at St. Justin the Martyr R.C. Church, 975 Fischer Blvd., Toms River. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Toms River.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to Tunnel to Towers Foundation or Saint Jude's Children's Hospital would be appreciated
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