January 3, 1940 – October 18, 2019
J. David Schardien, 79 of Union and Yankee Lake, Wurtsboro, NY, died on Friday October 18, 2019 at the Center for Hope Hospice, Peggy’s House in Scotch Plains.
He was born in Elizabeth to the late Mary Catherine (nee Currie) and the late Albert Schardien, Sr. He was raised in Elizabeth until moving to Union with his family in 1957. He graduated from St. Benedict’s Prep High School in Newark and Seton Hall University in South Orange. He met Mary Dwyer at a CYO dance at St. Genevieve’s Church in Elizabeth. The couple married on October 23, 1965. This coming Wednesday would be their 54th wedding anniversary. His family was his greatest joy, especially his four children and his 11 grandchildren. He was a devoted New York Yankee fan who was lucky enough to be in the stadium when they won the 1996 World Series. Throughout his life, he loved spending his summers in the Catskills Mountains at Yankee Lake. In his youth, he spent his days fishing, boating, and swimming, and in retirement, he could be found relaxing in his hammock and taking his grandchildren for ice cream.
He worked for Sea Land and Puerto Rico Marine Management, both of Elizabeth. He then worked as Vice President of Utility Propane in Whitehouse, NJ and later as Vice President of the Sergeantsville Corporation in Elizabeth. He was instrumental in the construction of the Fire House Museum at Liberty Hall Museum in Union. He served as Trustee of Holy Spirit Church for nearly 2 decades. He was the President of the Home School Association at Holy Spirit School and a member of the Holy Name Society. He was Past Faithful Navigator of the Knights of Columbus 4504 of Union and 4th Degree Knight of the John F. Kennedy General Assembly. He served on the Board of Trustees at the Center for Hope Hospice. He was a supporter of the Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum in Rio Grande, NJ where an exhibit bearing his name recognizes his contributions. He was a member of the Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee and the Joseph Nugent, Sr. Association. He was an officer of the Yankee Lake Company.
He is predeceased by his parents, Mary Catherine and Albert Schardien, Sr.; his sister, Mary Anne Schardien; and his brother, Albert Schardien, Jr. He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary J. Schardien (nee Dwyer); his devoted children, Mary Catherine Harrington and her husband Richard; Kathleen Short and her husband Darren; Albert Schardien and his wife Anne; and Kerry Ricci and her husband Michael; his adoring grandchildren, Richard, Emily, and Clare Harrington; Keira and Molly Short; Ellie, Albert, and Grace Schardien; and Kyle, Caroline, and Megan Ricci; and many loving nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit the McCracken Funeral Home, 1500 Morris Ave, Union, NJ 07083 on Monday, October 21, 2019 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. A mass of Christian burial will be held at Holy Spirit Church, 971 Suburban Rd, Union, NJ 07083 on Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at 10:30 AM followed by interment in Evergreen Cemetery, 1137 N Broad St, Hillside, NJ 07205.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Peggy’s House, Center for Hope Hospice, 1900 Raritan Road, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076.
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