John Patrick Elward, Jr., 85, of Berkeley Heights passed away on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. John was born and raised in Newark and graduated from St. Benedict's. After high school, he served four years as an electronics technician in the United States Navy and was cited as company honorman. After completing his military service, John earned a degree from Newark College of Engineering and joined Bell Laboratories in Murray Hill, where he worked as an electrical engineer for 30 years.

A longtime resident of Berkeley Heights, John was active in his community. He served on the planning board, the board of adjustment, and on the township committee, including a term as mayor of Berkeley Heights. John was a member of the committee that designed and constructed the Berkeley Heights Veterans Memorial in 1987 and a board member for the Veterans Memorial Park restoration in 2016.

Known to his family and friends as an avid storyteller and adept "grill guy," John loved all types of sports, politics, fishing, gardening, and cooking, especially his mother’s renowned Irish soda bread. He took great pride in his Irish heritage.

John is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Barbara Elward (nee Ponzini); children, John Elward and his wife Kara, Kevin Elward and his husband Gene Crocker, Alison Elward, Jaimie Mercer and her husband Galen, and Matthew Elward; sister, Marie Duggan; and sister-in-law, Frances Elward. He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren, Sean, MaryKate, Colleen, and Patrick Elward. John was predeceased by his parents, John and Mary (nee Feely) Elward; brother, James Elward; and brother-in-law, Patrick Duggan. Donations in John's memory may be made to St. Joseph’s Health Foundation online at https://givetostjosephs.org/give/ or by mail at P.O. Box 29000, Newark, NJ 07101-9888.