All of Highlands and those who love local history are sadden by the death of John Patrick King, Jr, who passed away peacefully Saturday, July 12, surrounded by his wife, children, and best friend after watching his relished New York Yankees defeat the Chicago Cubs.
A funeral gathering is scheduled for this evening from 4 to 7 p.m. at the O’Brien Funeral Home in Brick, and a funeral mass will b e celebrated at Epiphany Catholic Church in Brick Friday, at 10.a.m.
His obituary, published by the O’Brien Funeral Home, tells his life story.
Born in Manhattan, New York, to John Patrick King, Sr., and Helen Marie King (Poyntz), John grew up in Leonardo and lived in Little Silver, Highlands, and Eatontown before moving to Brick 7 years ago.
John graduated from Red Bank Catholic High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from LaSalle University and a Master’s degree in Classical Studies from The University of Pennsylvania. He spent his career in service to others, teaching the classics at Montclair State University and then Latin and French for 25 years at Red Bank Regional High School.
John had a deep love of travel, and fostered that love with his students as the director of exchange programs that took him and many students to Lucca, Italy.
John met his beloved wife of 53 years, Helen Marie King (Riley) and married her six months later. Together they ran the Water Witch House Bed and Breakfast on Route 36 in Highlands, welcoming many guests and friends for five years.
He was incredibly passionate about helping the poor and those less fortunate. John’s lifelong hobbies included fishing, woodworking, home improvement projects, and operating HAM radio under the call sign KA2F.
A family man to his core, John was the proud father of Jessica Amy King and Thomas William King, and husband to his wife, Lauren. He was the cherished “powered sugar Grandpa” to Leyna, Ianna, Kelsa, Noah, and Arlo.
John was a parishioner at The Church of Epiphany Roman Catholic Church, Brick. He was an active member of the Garden State Amateur Radio Association, Highlands and Atlantic Highlands Historical Societies, The NJ Classical Association, and Bible Study group at Epiphany Church. A brilliant and passionate writer, John authored numerous books, including various histories of the local communities in which he lived. He also freelanced historical vignettes for the Asbury Park Press.
John was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Thomas Francis King, who welcomed him home to Heaven.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Unbound https://www.unbound.org/, to Nazareth Farm https://www.nazarethfarm.org or to Missionaries of Charity 144 Ridge Ave., Asbury Park, NJ 07712.
Tired of Facebook? You can also Find ViniVidiScripto on the Following Platforms …
