John J. Franklin was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, leader, public servant, Marine and so much more. He lived a life of service to his country, community and family. Born on January 8, 1930, John was a lifelong Lakewood resident and graduated from Lakewood High School. He had a talent for making everyone he met feel welcome in his home and his life. His passion for service and love for his community led to his involvement in many areas.
John had started in the mason business at the age of 12 (he was big for his age, most men were off to World War II, so he stepped into his duty at home). After high school he started a successful contracting business. When the U.S. entered the Korean War, he shuttered his business to serve his country by volunteering for the United States Marine Corps. He served one year in combat in Korea with Baker Co., 1st Engineer Battalion. In June 1952, he returned to the States and served with the 8th Engineer Battalion at Camp Lejeune until his honorable discharge in January, 1954.
After John’s discharge he started a masonry construction company with his friend, Moe Gally, Franklin and Gally Mason Contractors and Builders was born. In 1972, he went to work in construction management for several prominent construction companies until, in 1994, he became the director of the Lakewood Public Works Department. He said it was the most fulfilling job of his career. John retired on July 1, 2010 at 80 years old. He couldn’t sit still and served on the Lakewood planning board until the age of 90.
John was elected to the Lakewood School Board in 1965 and served there until he was elected to the Lakewood Township Committee in 1967. He served 10 consecutive terms on the Township Committee where he spent many years as Police Commissioner and served as mayor in 1969, 1971, 1978, 1982 and 1990 serving at total of 28 years on the Township Committee. The new public works complex was built under his guidance and direction and it was named in his honor, something that brought him great pride.
Beyond elected office, John found other avenues to be of service to his community. He was a founding member of the Lakewood Pop Warner football organization and served as head coach for six years. He was also a member of several service organizations including the Lakewood Black Hawks, American Legion, Elks, VFW, and Masonic Lodge. John received the Silver Life member pin in the Lakewood PBA, was inducted into the Lakewood High School Alumni Hall of Fame, and received the Paul Buckelew Humanitarian Award.
Most of all Grand John, as he was affectionately called by his grandchildren was devoted to and proud of his family. He married his wife Lorraine (Moroz) in 1953 and she was the love of his life. They had four children-Kathy, Jay, Jim, and Doug (passed away in 1987 from a car accident). Kathy and her husband Stephen Smith live in Chantilly, Virginia and they have four children Brian (and Leah), Kyle, Andrew (and Felicia), Stephanie (and Evan). Jay has two children Taylor and Jaelyn (passed in 2015). Jim has two children-Jimmy and Victoria. John’s great grandchildren are Kathy, Meredith, Caitlynn, Gardner and Cameron Smith, and Victor and Vanessa Fayard.
After his retirement John spent his last eleven happy years with Lorraine, focused on making her life the best that it could be. They were married for 67 years.
John succumbed to Covid-19 on January 12, 2021. We will always remember his love and joy for making all our lives better.
In lieu of flowers please make donations in John's memory to the charity of your choice.
Anyone that would like to pay their respects are invited to join in the family procession from D'Elia Funeral Home 1300 Vermont Ave., Lakewood, NJ 08701 to the Evergreen Cemetery, Lakewood, NJ on Friday January 15, 2021 at 1130AM. Burial will be held privately.
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