Obituary of John W. Contini

John William Contini, 96 of Belvidere, New Jersey passed away on November 29, 2023

John was born in Norwich, Connecticut on August 12, 1927, the oldest of five children born to Ceseara and Ismael (Frank) Contini.

He is survived by his beloved wife of forty years Barbara; his children Richard Heitman (Diane), Melinda Hamilton (Todd), Jean Landy (John), Lori Carlton (Phil) and Pete Contini (Maurya); his twelve grandchildren (Katherine, Kyle, Kerry, Erin, Tara, Marin, Marie, Jack, Kate, Charlie, Anna and Celia) and three great-grandchildren (Brynn, Kate and Rayce); and his brother Ed (Arlene).

Upon graduation from Holyoke High school John joined the U.S. Navy, he left for boot camp on VJ day 1945 and served three years in the South Pacific.  In September 2009, he was honored with the Chapel of the Four Chaplains Legion of Honor Award. After he left the Navy, he earned an Associate’s Degree from the Business Institute of Milwaukee where he met his first wife, Lucille. 

Over the course of his life, John was involved with many activities.  He had a lifelong passion for all sports.   John was a player, coach, umpire, and referee.  In 1995 he was inducted into the Newark-Metro American Softball Association Hall of Fame for his work as an umpire (he also has a brick in Cooperstown!). He received many other awards and recognitions for his work refereeing soccer, basketball, volleyball and other sports. He was also an avid golfer, playing into his 90s.

John’s love of reading led him to volunteer at the Warren County Public Library, both reading to the children and was an active book club participant.  He was a lifelong devout Catholic.  He demonstrated his faith in his service as a member of the Knights of Columbus, through the church choir and as a eucharistic minister.  He joined the Beginning Experience for Widowed Catholics where he met his second wife, Barbara. 

John was the activities director of Country View Village for over twenty years, bringing the Healthy Bones Program to the residents and teaching classes as recently as 2022. John was also trained in grief counseling and support.  He was an active member of the Belvidere Lions club serving as president and many other roles, and was recently recognized for his twenty years of service to the organization.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 3:00PM Sunday, December 3, 2023 at the MacFadden Funeral Home, 325 Hardwick Street, Belvidere, New Jersey.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on 11:00 AM Monday, December 4, 2023 at Saint Patrick R.C. Church, 327 Greenwich Street, Belvidere, New Jersey. Interment will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery, Belvidere, NJ

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Belvidere Lions Club (PO Box 291 Belvidere, NJ 07823) or Saint Patrick R.C. Church.