Roxbury Township, Loved by so many he will be truly missed, John C Christian 85 of Succasunna, New Jersey passed away peacefully after a long illness on April 6th 2022. Born and raised in South River, New Jersey. He later attended West Virginia University, and then joined the United States Marine Corps, of which he has always been proud, “once a Marine, always a Marine”. He was a life member of the Knights of Columbus. He was also an accomplished juggler, who could usually be goaded into a some after-game entertainment for the baseball teams he coached. An accomplished gymnast, he placed for WVU in the 1957 AAUs in Pittsburgh. Later, in his 70s, he took up running on a daily basis.

During his time with the Marines he met Rita Christian, his wife of 64 years, with whom he loved to dance and simply enjoy life’s moments.

A long time employee and later consultant of IBM he moved his family to Succasunna in 1972 and never moved again. Aside from his wife, he enjoyed nothing more than and was proud of his children and 22 grand and great-grandchildren, even doing after school daycare for several of them over the last 26 years… they came before work.

A selfless volunteer, he was always active with his children as coach, scout leader serving on many committees, rec baseball leagues, church (for years helping around the church, school, and with the annual carnival), etc. , He was each grandchild’s biggest fan, friend and part-time sports coach – “relax, just have fun”.

He was loved and respected by so many friends and family and was always willing to jump in and lend a hand to anyone in need, even just setting people at ease with a joke, and although a dad joke, both those jokes and he truly will be missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Sophie Christian, his younger brothers, Eugene W. Christian (NC) and Robert Christian (South River). And all too recently, his youngest daughter, Kathleen M. Christian, for whom he and his wife gave up most of their golden years, the past 30 years, to tirelessly care for her. Last, he was predeceased by his great-grandson, Edison Savage.

He leaves behind his wife Rita, his children, Timothy Christian (Nicole), Linda Savage (Donald), David Christian (Ellen), Mary Moffitt (Russ), John J. Christian (Dawn), daughter-in-law, Laurie Christian, 13 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren, a soon to be great-granddaughter, and a sister, Carole Ralston.

Friends and relatives may visit at the Davis and Hepplewhite Funeral Home,96 Main St., Succasunna, NJ 973-584-7264 (davishepplewhitefh.com) on Sunday (April 10th) from 2 – 5 pm. The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton R C Church in Flanders on Monday at 10:30 am.

Donations may be made in his name to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital at www.stjude.org