Roxbury Township, Mr. John F. McMahon passed away on Friday, February 2, 2018 at the age of 89 at Merry Heart in Succasunna, New Jersey.  John was born in West Orange, NJ in 1929, the son of the late George and Catherine McMahon. He grew up in the Tory Corner neighborhood in West Orange. He lived most of his adult life in Succasunna, NJ, where he and his wife Lois raised their family.

John proudly served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1957 as a member of the 11th Airborne Division based in Fort Campbell, KY, where he learned to parachute. John had a long career in various roles with the New Jersey Bell Telephone Company and its successor companies after the Bell System breakup. John placed high value on working hard and was proud to say that he never missed a day of work over more than 35 years until he retired in 1991. He was a member of The Telephone Pioneers of America.

John was articulate on a broad range of subjects, largely self-taught.  He had a terrific memory, even in his last days, with fond memories all the way back to his early days in West Orange. He greatly enjoyed going back to West Orange to attend “Old Timer’s Day” at Colgate Park. ?? was a lifelong and devoted fan of New York’s professional sports teams. To be clear, that’s the Giants, Yankees and Knicks (not those other New York teams). He was active in the Colts Club, coaching several championship teams in Roxbury’s youth football league. John was gregarious and enjoyed social interactions. He loved good food and Swing music by the Big Bands.

Some of the lessons we learned from our Father include: When we argued that a pitch was out of the strike zone on a called third strike, he would simply say “if it was close enough to call a strike, it was close enough to hit”, “Don’t forget your old friends when you make new ones”, “Always use the right tool for the job”,  “There is no degree to honesty”, “Whatever you choose to do, work hard and be the best you can be” and he reminded us on or about December 22 each year that “daylight hours are getting longer again!”

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Lois, and his three sons – Brian of Succasunna, NJ, John M. (wife Annette) of Netcong, NJ and Thomas (wife Kristin) of Coopersburg, PA. He is the grandfather to five grandchildren – David, Joseph, Sarah, Danielle, and Lauren. He is also survived by his brother George McMahon (wife Marie) of Lakewood, NJ and sister Alice (husband George) Ploransky of Brick Township, NJ as well as many nieces and nephews. His brother Patrick McMahon (wife Ann) of West Orange, NJ preceded him in death.

Heartfelt gratitude is extended to all those at Merry Heart who cared for John in recent months.

Arrangements are by the Davis & Hepplewhite Funeral Home, 96 Main Street, Succasunna, NJ 973-584-7264 (davishepplewhitefh.com).