John Russell Naisby III

John Russell Naisby III passed away suddenly at home in Sparta, NJ on Saturday, January 21, 2017. John was born on June 19, 1938 in Franklin, NJ, son of the late John Russell Naisby, Jr. and Elizabeth Hunn Naisby. He was a lifelong resident of Sparta. In 1957, John graduated from Blair Academy, where in the senior yearbook he was designated as the student who “done Blair for the most”. In 1961, he was drafted into the United States Army Signal Corp and spent four years as a Field Radio Repairman in Southeast Asia. Even overseas, John’s work ethic, honesty and patriotism, which he acquired from his Sussex County upbringing, gained him life long friends.John was a self-taught and self-employed farmer, mechanic and construction equipment operator. He was a “jack of all trades,” able to fix anything, and helped many in the county with automotive, electrical, and mechanical challenges. When John wasn’t tinkering with cars, he was hunting, golfing or playing guitar.John was passionate about his interests and spent a considerable amount of time studying the history of the local Sussex County area. He was an enthusiastic founding member of the Injectors Hot Rod Club. John was a charter member of the Col. John Rosenkrans Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. John and his wife Danielle were also long-time members of the Lake Grinnell Association, Sparta Historical Society and Wallkill Golf Club. He was also a member of the Branchville Businessmen’s Club and an 1848 member of the Blair Academy Alumni Association. During retirement, John and Dani traveled the country and the world renewing old friendships and making new ones. John was predeceased by his wife Danielle K. Naisby. He is survived by his son, Thomas Donnelly and his wife, MaryJean of Hopatcong; daughter, Karen Lowndes of Butler; brother, James H.G. Naisby and his wife Diane of Hamburg; brother, David Hunn Naisby and his wife Margaret of Brooksville, Fl.; and grandchildren, Allison and Jessica Lowndes, and Thomas, Megan, Kaitlyn, Sarah and Patrick Donnelly. He also leaves nieces and nephews Tracy Shores and husband Tim, son Tim and daughter Marissa, Jim Naisby, Jr., Kara Kayser and husband Chris, daughters Kaitlyn and Emily, Lyn Naisby and sons Devon and Zachary; Leah Newland and husband Ian, son Edward and daughter Sienna; David Naisby, Jr. and wife Jaime, daughters Alissa and Adisson. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Karen Abel and her husband Warren, son Bob Abel and daughter Kristyn Goodman and their families. Johnny will be greatly missed by many, including his good friends, Michael Sincaglia and wife Dona of Sparta, and Russell McCarrick and family, also of Sparta. Family and friends are invited to a memorial gathering on Sunday January 29th 2~6 pm at Goble Funeral Home 22 Main Street Sparta, NJ 07871. A Monday January 30thgraveside service will be celebrated at 11am at North Hardyston Cemetery, Rt 94 Hamburg, NJ. Memorial contributions in John's name are being accepted to the charity of your choice.

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