Mt. Arlington,    Mr. John P Richards (85) died on January 2, 2011 at Merry Heart Nursing Home in Succasunna. Jack was born in Philadelphia, PA and went to high school at Lower Merion, PA where he played on the state champion basketball teams in 1942 and 1943. He served in the U S Navy during WW II and later attended Harvard and Princeton. He met his wife Peg in high school and they married in 1952.

Mr Richards moved to Mt. Arlington 33 years ago from New England. He was an Entrepreneur and Land Developer who completed three residential developments in the area. Jack operated Bertrand Island Amusement Park from 1977 until it closed and owned several movie theaters and restaurants. He was a musician who wrote a #1 hit in 1954, “HE”, and toured and recorded with his band “Jack Richards and the Marksmen”. He also operated three other amusement parks, food businesses at Mt Snow ski area and several auto race tracks, and was a disc jockey in Massachusetts. 

Jack donated the money to build the new library in Mt. Arlington, and his company built an outdoor roller hockey rink there. He also produced many Christmas shows in the community over the years.

Mr. Richards was predeceased by his wife Margaret H (Peg) in 2002 and is survived by his son John R Richards and daughter in law Orly Levy of Aptos, CA., sister Penny Richards of Myrtle Beach, SC, and 4 grandchildren: Tal Richards, and Etai, Maya and Shani Levy-Richards.

The Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, Jan 8 at 10 am at the Succasunna First Presbyterian Church, 99 Main St., Succasunna.  Arrangements are by Davis & Hepplewhite Funeral Home, 96 Main Street, Succasunna, (973-584-7264) davishepplewhitefh.com.