John Joseph Warchol

John J. Warchol, 87, of Livingston NJ, passed away on Thursday the 17th of February 2022, peacefully at home which was always his wish. Born in New York City to the late John and Mabel Warchol, he resided in Livingston for most of his life. He was the beloved father of his three children, John, Wendy and Laurie and was a retired lifelong employee and engineer with Essex County NJ while also serving in the National Guard.

John Warchol was one of the most revered Ice Hockey coaches in the tristate area. During his coaching career, John led Seton Hall Prep to three State titles and a record nine Gordon Cups. He was named the Star Ledger coach of the year in 1982 and was recognized by the NJ Professional Hockey Writer’s Association for his enormous contributions to youth hockey. In 1992, John was inducted into the Seton Hall Prep Hall of Fame and in 1995-96 he was the recipient of the New Jersey Devils John McMullen Service Award for Hockey in NJ and then in 2010, he was also inducted into the NJ HS Ice Hockey Hall of Fame.

John Warchol, a dazzling natural hockey player in his own right, proved that it was never too late to dream, or to start anything, he only learning how to skate in his late teens in taking him off the streets of NYC, and then he becoming a member of the 1963 US National Hockey Team that competed throughout Europe before then playing with the legendary South Mountain Rockets and other teams. John was also a referee and linesman during an uncountable number of hockey games for High School and youth leagues, including the Eastern College Athletic Conference and him a longtime member of the Metro NY/NJ NIHOA Chapter. During off season, he could be found instructing youth of all ages at numerous summer hockey camps stretching from NJ to Maine side by side with professional NHL stars including Dave Shultz of the Philadelphia Flyers and others.,

And during his never ending schedule on the ice, come cold Christmas Eves when he finally had a day off, he would bundle up and take his very young children to the rink to skate, so that their mom could wrap the presents and prepare for the next festive morning. John loved Eating! Maine, sailing, swimming and river canoe trips, motorcycles, and his wonderful friends. And later in life, even giving kayaking a shot, John could always be found tinkering around in his garage and yard right up until the end. One day while resting on a lake in Maine when he a younger man, he hearing screams, and swam out in saving the life of a drowning child, how many other lives had he saved, touched, and guided into the future within the Ice Hockey community, will remain, unknown…

A Gathering will be held at the Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home, 145 East Mount Pleasant Ave, in Livingston NJ, on Saturday, March 12, 2022 from 12-4 PM.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the NJ HS Ice Hockey Hall of Fame, Checks made out to the New Jersey High School Hockey Hall of Fame at 55 Hazel Ave, Livingston NJ, 07039.