John Vlacich

Born in Istria, Croatia, the youngest child of Pasquale Vlacich and Domenica Gobbo, siblings Aurora, Maria, Anna, Louis and Joseph. John (Nini) emigrated from Italy in the 1950’s to live the American dream.

Married to his childhood sweetheart, Angela Gobbo for 74 years, John and his family established their lives in Hoboken and settled in Cliffside Park. He worked in Manhattan as a renowned chef at Romeo Salta and Aperitivo restaurants, before retiring to Toms River where he spent time enjoying the outdoors and fishing, which he loved as a young man. Outside of the kitchen, those who knew him could often find him making his own wine in his garage or meticulously tending to his vegetable and flower gardens –all of which his family and friends were gracious beneficiaries. An avid sports fan, he rooted for his favorite baseball, football, hockey, basketball, and soccer teams, but the times he cherished the most were Sunday dinners with family.

John is predeceased by his beloved daughter, Marisa Lohsen. He is survived by his wife Angela, son Nino and wife Jeannine. A loving, grandfather to Sabrina Zahn, husband Kevin, Valerie Gayol, husband Steven and Nino John Vlacich; cherished great-grandfather to Sawyer and Everett Zahn and Nathan and Ariel Gayol.