John Paul Skarbek

John Paul Skarbek, 102, known as Poppi to his 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, joined his heavenly Father June 3, 2024. The highlight of his life was his marriage to his beloved Anna when he was on furlough September 24, 1945. They were devoted to each other for 71 years.
Born in Perth Amboy, he was a long time Metuchenite, residing there since 1946.
In 1936, at the age of 17, he joined Roosevelt's CCC Camp & trained in the Mohave Desert, creating fencing for cattle. He was drafted by the Army Airforce in 1942, experiencing many jobs, medic, expert gunnery, airplane engine mechanic, ambulance driver, and kitchen worker, before being discharged on November 22, 1945.
John started career as a Public Service/NJ Transit Bus Driver in 1946, driving the line from New Brunswick to NYC.
John was a parishioner of St. Francis Cathedral, Metuchen and became an usher in 1953, working his way up to the manager of the 9:00am Mass until 2016.
He enjoyed playing 7's & poker with the guys at the Metuchen Senior Center from 1970 until 2020. He, along with his wife, loved going to Atlantic City Casino regularly and constantly used the Metuchen Library to borrow movies. There is a bench at the back entrance of the library dedicated to them.
He was predeceased by his loving wife of 71 years, Anna Skarbek (d.2016) and two grandchildren, William Pachanski (d.2009) and Nicholas Malkus (d.2022).
Surviving are his four children, Barbara Malkus and her husband Richard, of Ormond Beach, FL, Josephine Pachanski and her husband Thomas, of Piscataway, Anthony Skarbek and his wife Anita, of Fredericksburg VA, and John A. Skarbek and his wife Kathy, of Durham, NC; eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
The Funeral will take place on Monday, June 10, 2024, at 9:45am at Costello-Runyon Funeral Home, 568 Middlesex Ave., Metuchen, followed by a 10:15am Funeral Mass at St. Francis Cathedral, Metuchen.
Interment will follow in Hillside Cemetery, Metuchen.
The visitation is Sunday from 1-4pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to St. Francis Cathedral, The Metuchen Senior Center or the Metuchen Public Library, or a charity of your choice.