Jonathan Moore

Jon was born February 16, 1952 to William "Bill" Arnold and Eleonore "Dolly" Marie Moore. He was born and raised in Glen Rock, NJ and was the middle child of three children, Stephanie Marie was born in 1948, and Jon was followed by a brother, Christopher Abbey, in 1955. Growing up, Jon was a star athlete, who also performed in a local rock band, and moonlighted in local theatre productions.

A lifelong tradition of the Moore family was summer vacations to Long Beach Island, NJ, where Jon fell in love with the ocean. This inspired him to work as a lifeguard during high school summers. Jon carried on the tradition of summers at LBI hosting an open house every summer for friends and family to gather.

As a popular hometown guy, several Glen Rock friends followed him to Findlay College (Ohio), where he starred on the defensive line of the football team, threw shotput and discus, and thrived as a Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) Fraternity man. In his free time, he DJ'd for the college radio station. During the spring of his junior year, he met his first wife, Andrea (Andi) Lee McMillan.

Eager to make his own way in the world, he moved back to the New York City area after graduating college. Uncertain of where his future would take him, he started out as a personal limo driver to a commodity broker. After a couple years of listening and learning as he drove, he decided to go in business for himself as a gold broker on the New York Commodity Exchange (COMEX) in the World Trade Center. Jon spent nearly 20 proud years on the Exchange where he met dozens of lifelong friends. Nothing thrilled him more than taking his kids, family, and friends to see his place of work. In addition to work, Jon deeply loved NYC and all she has to offer, and he never turned an opportunity down to Wow out-of-town guests with incredibly memorable trips in to the City.

In 1980, Jon and Andi, built a home in Franklin Lakes, NJ. He was a larger than life personality and relished in being a remarkable host and entertainer. They hosted epic parties that attracted professional athletes and northern New Jersey's finest, but he was equally thrilled to host a small group with hotdogs and beer.

Needing a counterbalance to his big city life, he bought a second home at Highland Lakes, NJ where he enjoyed fishing and card games. Allegedly, Jon enjoyed shooting off fireworks from his dock (or the middle of the frozen lake) to the delight of surrounding neighbors and guests alike. It was not a proper weekend at the lake house until the police lights were seen in the distance and all homes went dark to protect his identity.

Jon was no stranger to great success and accomplishments over the years. In the early 80's he owned a semi-pro football team, the New Jersey Rams. He also donated generously to his alma mater, Findlay College, and numerous children's charities. He made brief appearances in the movie Trading Places, and held season tickets behind home plate at Yankee Stadium so he could watch his beloved Yankees play. Jon was also Club Champion at High Mountain Golf Club in 1993, running with the torch ignited by his father. Jon and his family celebrated these and many other accomplishments and milestones at one of his favorite spots, Rivara's (fka The Owl & I and nka The Craftsman) in Fair Lawn, NJ. To be honest, every new day was something to celebrate in Jon's world.

By the late 90s, he had started a new chapter of his life, with his second wife, Miriam Kobert Moore. For the 13 years the pair was married they resided happily in Mahwah, NJ, where they raised their dog, Budweiser "Buddy", cherished weekend hikes, entertained family and friends, and expanded his love for cooking and trying out new recipes. Also, during this time Jon's relationship with his daughter strengthened from being "Dad" to also being a friend. They would spend many hours talking about life, where he had been, and giving advice on where she was going in her teen years. In addition, he introduced his son to the game of Putt Putt Golf. This led to Jon hosting Jon II for summer golf extravaganzas as Jon II got older and followed in the family footsteps with love of the sport of golf.

Jon's greatest life joy and source of happiness were his children, Courtney and Jon II. He loved and cherished his children and was supportive and encouraging of their many endeavors. He believed and voiced that any dream of theirs was attainable and they could accomplish anything they put their mind to. He encouraged them to think outside the box, be solution oriented, stand up for what was right, be accountable for their actions, and he guided them to overcome obstacles and adversity. Jon genuinely enjoyed the company of his kids, and sought to find common interests that they could all share together. Some of his favorite times with his kids included trips to the driving range or putt putt golf, 6:00 am Rummy Q championships, recreating WWF Royal Rumbles on the family room floor, playing Legend of Zelda, endless trips to tropical fish stores, slot car racing, coaching softball, countless hours of practicing whatever sport was ongoing at the moment with his kids, teaching them blackjack and backgammon, and selling thousands of Girl Scout cookies on the Exchange. As his children grew into adulthood, the times became hours of discussion on life, where the great vacation spots are, sports (Yankees and Giants, of course), along with golf and the latest pro tour going on, and what concerts/live music was happening. Jon also took time to talk to his kids as adults and where their lives were going -- what were their goals, where to live, who they liked/loved, etc. He was a true champion for his kids.

Jon's life entered another new chapter in the 2010's. At this time he was single again, his mother had passed, retirement was coming, and he really wanted to make a life change. So, in 2015, after nearly 60 years of living in NJ, Jon made the jump and moved to Columbus, OH to be closer to Courtney, Jon II, and their respective families. Jon was excited to live within minutes of his children, grandchild, and step grandchildren. He enjoyed weekly family dinners, holiday get-togethers, and many pinnacle life moments and celebrations shared in person. He relished being a "Big Fish" at his favorite local establishments, Amano's, and on golf courses around Columbus.

Always one to take a bet, Jon would set up various betting pools and football squares for everyone to enjoy a little bit more excitement in the game at hand. Jon would even bring this into his grandson's birthday/Superbowl party, adding some more fun to the celebration.

Late to the political discourse, he spent countless hours over the last 15 years engaged in current events. Jon described himself as a die-hard constitutionalist, and he spent countless hours researching any political thing that piqued his interest. This led him to self-publish a book in 2020 called The End Game. But most of all, he loved being Papa Jon to Braze and Moxon, his older step grandchildren, Kelsey and Hayden as well as being the surprise benefactor of restaurant employees whom he had befriended.

To all who have had the pleasure of knowing him, if only as a new acquaintance, or were lifelong friends, Jon will be deeply missed. His infectious smile and a wave, his handshake and greeting, "Hey Kingpin, how's it going?", his big voice saying "This is great!" to whatever was happening in the moment. Always encouraging those around him to be what they want to be, take a chance, live everything to the fullest, and be happy, because, as he would say, "You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough."

Jon was predeceased by his parents, William "Bill" Arnold and Eleonore "Dolly" Marie (nee Erickson) Moore. He is survived by his children: Courtney E. (nee Moore) and Robert T. Giesseman of Versailles, IN and Jonathan E. P. and Jessica L. (nee Daniels) Moore II of Cincinnati, OH, grandchildren, Braze Ryan Bilins of Holton, IN and Moxon Daniel Erickson Moore, step-grandchildren Kelsey B. Giesseman of Columbus, OH, and Hayden P. Giesseman of Versailles, IN, by his siblings, Stephanie M. (nee Moore) and Charles T. Ladd of Syracuse, NY, Christopher A. and Christine A. (nee Colucci) Moore of Fanwood, NJ, lifetime best friends and chosen family, Thomas "Tommy/ Tomba" M. and Lisa (nee Morgan) McNaney of Hendersonville, NC, nieces, Erica M. Ladd of Buffalo, NY and Jocelyn T. Ladd of Minneapolis, MN, and Jessica A. Moore of Seattle, WA.

At Jon's request, there will be "Celebration of Life" parties to be held in both in Columbus, OH, and Bergen County, NJ in the spring.