John William Scholz

Jack was born on February 14, 1938, in Elizabeth, NJ to Charles and Margaret Scholz (nee Hayes). His family then moved to Union, NJ where he attended grammar through high school, and where he found lifelong friends. After high school he enlisted in the army, trained at Ft. Knox, and served in Germany as a tank mechanic. Upon returning home he attended Newark School of Engineering (NJIT) and was introduced to his wife-to-be, Cathy, by one of his grammar school friends.

Jack and Cathy married in June of 1962, and moved to an apartment in Hillside. In 1965 they purchased his childhood home in Union where they lived for 22 years before moving to Mountainside. Jack was a mechanical engineer employed by Western Electric in Kearney, then AT&T in Clark and Holmdel. Since retiring, he has spent the winters “snow birding” in Madeira Beach, Florida.

Jack enjoyed playing baseball in high school, his MGA convertible roadster, vacationing at the Jersey Shore, and boating with his family. He received his small aircraft pilot’s license in the 70s, and flew his family to vacation spots like Martha’s Vineyard. Throughout his life, he played tennis, golf and always loved the game of cribbage. He was an avid do-it-yourselfer and taught his children the benefits monetarily and in self-worth. Once retired he enjoyed traveling and assorted shenanigans with friends and family, but the most important part of his life was always his family.

He is predeceased by his loving wife of 61 years, Catharine Scholz (nee Curran), and his siblings Robert and Charles Scholz.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Margaret (Peggy) and Douglas Donahue; daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Stephen Chinn; and son and daughter-in-law, James and Jeanne Scholz; grandchildren, Michael (Catie) Chinn, Nicole (Michael) Dwyer, Patrick Scholz and James Scholz; three great grandchildren Michael and Jack Dwyer and Ivy Chinn, and an abundance of nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life is being planned for March 1.