John Xavier Walker

McAFEE - John Xavier Walker, 77, died after a short illness at Newton Medical Center, Newton, on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012. He was born to James and Theresa Walker in Jersey City where he was raised and then moved to McAfee 44 years ago. Mr. Walker served with the United States Navy and then received his B.A. in psychology from Fordham University and his M.A. in Judean Christian studies from Seton Hall University. He then worked as a substation supervisor for PSE&G in Secaucus for 36 years before retiring in 1993. Mr. Walker was a deacon and parishioner of St. Jude the Apostle R.C. Church in Hamburg. He was graduate of the first class of ordained deacons in the Archdiocese of Paterson and was a member of the Secular Franciscan Order. He enjoyed traveling and was an avid reader. Mr. Walker was predeceased by his wife, Barbara A. Walker (1994) and was the devoted father of Barbara J. Vrahnos and her husband, Donald, of Newton, Eileen Walker-Boeren of Vernon, Maureen Howlett and her husband, Robert, of Wantage and Cecilia Metzgar and her husband, Edward, of Andover; loving grandfather of Sgt. John P. Boeren, USAR, Mary C. Boeren, Andrew J. Merck, Stephen M. Merck, Evan M. Merck, Noah E. Metzgar and Samuel A. Metzgar; great-grandfather of Makenna R. Boeren; dear brother of Barney Walker of Newton, George Walker of Manahawkin and Dennis Walker of Secaucus. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. The family will receive their friends at Ferguson-Vernon Funeral Home, 241 Route 94, Vernon on Monday, Sept. 10, 2012 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral from the funeral home on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012 at 9 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Jude the Apostle R.C. Church, Hamburg, at 10 a.m. Interment to follow at Glenwood Cemetery, Vernon. Memorial gifts to the American Diabetes Association, PO Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312, www.diabetes.org would be appreciated. Information and condolences can be found at www.fergusonvernonfuneralhome.com.