John Jay Scanlon

John Jay “Jack” Scanlon, 85 of the Township of Washington passed away peacefully at home on Jan 31, 2014. Jack was born on November 8, 1928 to James Scanlon and Elsie Harshey. Jack was the youngest of four boys. His brothers, Jimmy, Jerry and Bobby were his best friends and lifelong heroes. Each of them, at a young age, enlisted in the US Army and served heroically in World War II. Following in their footsteps, Jack later enlisted in the US Air Force. During the Korean War he was stationed in Japan where he served as a Weather Observer. Jack had a life-long love of travel and adventure, which began with an impulsive cross-country road trip he took with his brother Bobby at the age of 17. Their adventures instilled in Jack a passion for the open road. After his return from the service, this spirit eventually led Jack to set off out west on his own. After a stint working for Molybdenum Mining Company in Climax, CO, Jack moved to Burbank, CA, where he worked for Lockheed Aircraft. After his Western adventures, Jack returned to New York City where he met the love of his life, Vera Mimi Girardon. Jack and Vera eventually settled in Washington Township, NJ, where they raised their daughters, Debbie and Julie. Jack was a graduate of Columbia University, where he earned a degree in business. He entered the field of computer science at a time when the industry was known to all but a handful of technological pioneers. After a successful career in government and banking, Jack retired in 2000. Jack was predeceased by his beloved brother, Bobby, his sisters-in-law, Pat Scanlon, Stella Scanlon and Maria Milin; his brother-in-law, Victor Milin; his nephew, George Radice. Jack is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Vera; his adored daughters, Debbie Scanlon and Julie Scanlon Young; his devoted sons-in-law, Tom Rooney and Craig Young; his granddaughter, Sophia Scanlon Young, the “delight of his heart”; his brothers, Jim and Jerry Scanlon, his sister-in-law, Margaret Scanlon; his lifelong best friends, George and Barbara Radice, as well as his nieces and nephews, Eileen, Cindy, Roberta, Glen, Brian, Karen, Kevin, Anthony, Victor, Greg and Laura, all of whom had profound love and respect for their Uncle Jack. Funeral from the Becker Funeral Home on Thursday 9am with a 10am funeral mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Twp. of Washington. Interment will follow in George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus. Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday from 2-5 & 6-9pm at the funeral home.