Obituary of John Paczkowski

John Paczkowski, 95, of Howell Township passed away on Sunday, January 26, 2020 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. John was born in Harrison and raised in Newark. He had lived in Hillside and then Toms River for 30 years before settling in Howell in 2017. John proudly served in the United States Army during World War II. He had worked as a machine mechanic for Budweiser and Crown Cork and Seal before retiring 30 years ago. John was a former member of the Polish Club in Toms River, parishioner of St. Joseph’s Church in Toms River, and member of the Elks and Knights of Columbus in Harrison. He loved gardening and tending to his yard and garage. John also enjoyed the beach and swimming, especially at Island Beach State Park. John was predeceased by his wife, Verna Paczkowski; sister, Helen Podlas; and brother, Vincent Paczkowski who had passed away in Italy during World War II. He is survived by his daughters, Lorraine Graham of Passiac, Nancy Shanley and her husband, John of Howell; three grandsons, Timothy Graham of Hoboken, Chris Shanley of Cranford, and Nick Shanley and his wife, Courtney of Spring Lake Heights; and his faithful-canine companion, Lucy. Visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Thursday, January 30, 2020 from 3:00 to 7:00 PM. Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home on Friday, January 31, 2020 at 8:00 AM for the procession to his 9:00 AM Funeral Mass at St. Catherine of Siena Chapel, One West Main Street, Farmingdale. Interment will follow in Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery, Arneytown. For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.