John was born in a German community in Mosonszolnok, Hungary. He was drafted into the German army towards the end of WWII and was thankful that he was captured by the American Army. After being released from the American Prisoner of War Camp, he needed to find his family that had been relocated to Germany. Luckily, they had settled in a town next to where Theresa Wendler’s family had settled. John and Theresa met at one of the weekly dances in the local dance hall and were married in 1952. In 1956, he and his wife made the difficult decision to leave Germany with their four year old daughter Theresa, in search of a better life in America.
John heard that the streets of NY were lined with gold. Upon arriving in NY and seeing a quarter on the street, he didn’t think it was necessary to pick it up as there must be more soon!
John was a Master Mason and after being in America for just two years, started his own construction business.
The family grew with the addition three children, Marianne, Annette and Robert.
John grew his business successfully, renovating countless homes and building numerous stoops and sidewalks all around New York City.
He also developed and sold several properties in upstate New York.
In 1974, he moved his family to Callicoon NY where he started and grew his second, successful construction business. He was a well-known and well-liked figure in the community.
After he retired, they lived for a brief time in Tom’s River, NJ. In 2013, he and Theresa moved to Brooklyn to be closer to their children. Their home was always open to family, friends and visitors from abroad. That is where the “Lang Gang” was born. Many good times were had at “Bar 118” where John enjoyed a good Manhattan surrounded by his family.
John Lang is survived by his sister Elisabeth Lang, brother Paul Lang, daughters Theresa Lang (Scott St. Marie), Marianne Lang Manzolillo (James), Annette Lang (Scott Lundberg), son Robert Lang, grandchildren Lisa Manzolillo, Daniel Manzolillo, William Manzolillo, Hanna St. Marie, great grandchildren Dimico Manzolillo, Chase Mallia and Lyla Mallia.
John was a fun, happy person that will be missed by many.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a local Brooklyn cause, Red Hook Initiative at: https//rhicenter.org
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