JOHN M. CONSTANTINE Sr.

Mahwah, NJ

John Mitchell Constantine Sr., took the hand of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, June 21, 2010, at his home in Mahwah, NJ. John was 95.

A 60 year Mahwah resident, John was born in Newburgh, NY on March 7, 1915, the son of Greek immigrants from the islands of Lemnos and Hydrra.

As a youngster, John and his older brother Pete, budding Engineers, developed an interest in radios and built and operated crystal radio sets; John was one of the earliest licensed radio operators in Newburgh, NY, with ham license number W2FFS.

As a teenager and young man, John worked as a waiter in his father's restaurant, The Alps, in Newburgh until it closed during The Great Depression. John attended RPI-Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY, graduating as a member of the class 1938 earning a Bachelors of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and later, a Masters of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Newark College of Engineering. During World War II, John worked for Bendix Corporation in Teterboro, NJ, designing electric motors for the war effort; later, he was General Manager of Anco Products in Paterson, NJ, developing electric motors during and after World War II. In 1950, John, with his wife Angeline, founded CELCO-Constantine Engineering Laboratories Company, a specialty component company and Mahwah's first light industry, dedicated to the design and manufacture of state-of-the-art products for military and industrial display systems. John actively participated in the operation of CELCO with his wife and four children and loyal employees over the past 60 years, until suffering a severe stroke in August, 2007 at the age of 92.

John's stroke energized the love and strength of his wife Angeline, their entire family and devoted caregivers, pastors and priests for the next three years as he continued to bring them his wisdom, faith and joy in countless ways.

An accomplished pilot, John operated many single and multi-engine aircraft throughout North America in the 1950's, '60's and '70's in quest of sales for CELCO and to provide personal service to CELCO's customers. John is recognized throughout the world as a leader in advancing the performance of numerous military and commercial display systems.

In 1982, John was elected to the grade of SID FELLOW in the Society of Information Display, "in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the advancement of display technology". In 2002, AAMPAS recognized CELCO with three Academy Awards for Scientific and Technical Achievements.

John Mitchell Constantine, Sr. is survived by Angeline A. Constantine his loving wife of over 72 years and their four children: Michael John of Henderson, NV, Paul John of West Palm Beach, FL, Elaine John of Miami, FL, and John Mitchell Constantine, Jr. of Miami, FL; nine grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and countless friends around the world. He will be sorely missed.

The viewing will be on Friday, June 25, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Van Emburgh-Sneider-Pernice Funeral Home, 109 Darlington Ave., Ramsey, NJ. Father Charles Joanides of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Newburgh, NY and Pastor Joe Basile of Grace Bible Fellowship in Bayonne, NJ presiding.

Donations will be accepted for these Houses of Worship and Community Christian Church of Little Haiti, Miami, c/o Pastor Eddy Gervais and Pastor Tom Pokorni.

The Funeral Mass will be Saturday, June 26, at 10 a.m. at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 19 Fullerton Ave., Newburgh, NY. Burial is scheduled for Saturday, June 26, at 12 noon, at Mahwah Cemetery of Ramapo Reformed Church, 100 Island Rd., Mahwah, NJ.

Please send tributes, memories and condolences at www.vanemburghsneider.com. Van Emburgh-Sneider-Pernice Funeral Home; 201-327-0030.