Obituary of John P. McNicholas, Sr

John P. McNicholas, Sr., 87, of Jackson passed away on Friday, December 3, 2021 at home. Mr. McNicholas was born in and had lived in Brooklyn before settling here in 2004. After serving honorably in the United States Army during the Korean War, Jack attended St. John’s Prep High School and then received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from St. John’s University.  He started his career in Brooklyn where he was a social studies teacher, a guidance counselor and later an assistant principal.  Jack then began his second career as an adjunct professor at St. John’s University where he remained until his retirement.  He was a member of the Jackson American Legion and a sponsor for the American Legion Boys & Girls State. Jack was an avid reader, loved to sing, and enjoyed playing Mexican train with his friends. A devout Catholic, Jack attended mass every day, and volunteered in the RCIA Program and as an usher at the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine.  He also belonged to the Men’s Morning Prayer Group at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Colts Neck.  Jack’s family credits his deep faith with sustaining him through the tragic loss of his son and his beloved wife. Instead of letting his losses define him, he was involved in programs and with people who bought great solace to him. 

He made the most of his time living in Four Seasons at Metedeconk where he started his day with a three mile morning walk, and was a member of the History Club, the Brooklyn Club, the Metedeconk Choir, Broadway Rhythm and his involvement with favorite group, the Bocci Boys of Metedeconk. Jack was happiest when he was with his family and loved to support his grandsons in their endeavors.

He was predeceased by his wife, Jane McNicholas; and his son, John P. McNicholas, Jr. Jack is survived by his daughter, Catherine Blanco and her husband, Gene of Freehold Township; two grandchildren, Gene and Jonathan Blanco; and one sister, Maryann Dean of Brooklyn.

Visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524) Freehold Township on Saturday, December 11, 2021 from 8:00 to 9:30 AM. Relatives and friends are then invited to attend his 10:00 AM Funeral Mass at the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township following the visitation. For those who cannot attend Mass in person, the family invites you to participate via webcast. Interment will follow in Maplewood Cemetery, Freehold Township. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Jack may be made to the John P. McNicholas Scholarship Fund, C/O St. John’s University School of Law, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Queens, NY 11439. For information, directions, or condolence messages to the family, please visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.