John Shane

John W. Shane of Wayne, New Jersey, passed away on Monday, November 7th 2022, at the age of 75.

John was born in Lakewood, Ohio. He spent his early childhood in Hudson, Ohio where he and his parents lived with his paternal grandparents. His family later moved to Berea, Ohio, where he graduated from Berea High School with the class of 1965.

Following a year in college, John moved to New York City to pursue a career in theater. He acted, directed and created set designs at several regional and community theaters in the New York City area, and volunteered with youth theater groups. For several years, John worked for McGraw Hill Publishing in New York City as a textbook editor. At this point in his career, he went back to college at City University of New York and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science. After his graduation, he found work as a software engineer for Cornell Mayo Associates first in Secaucus and later following the company to Parsippany. During his thirty year career at Cornell Mayo, he developed secure software for retail credit card transactions. John's interest in software development and computer science influenced his daughter Jennifer's decision to pursue electrical and computer engineering.

John and his wife Susan met in a dive bar in Chelsea, New York, when, after a terrible day at the office, Susan heard a soft, warm voice next to her say, "if it's any consolation, you're not the only one who's had a bad day". They were engaged a year later when John casually revealed his plans for their fall wedding in response to a question from Susan's father despite not having discussed it with Susan beforehand, leaving Susan dumbfounded. They were married on October 12, 1986 and honeymooned on Block Island, Rhode Island, and Hawaii. They were married for 36 years, and were blessed with a daughter, Jennifer.

John was dedicated to his faith and was a longstanding member of the Packanack Community Church in Wayne, New Jersey, where he served as a deacon and on the Christian Education Committee. Through the church, John volunteered for a number of charitable organizations, including Habitat for Humanity and Appalachia Service Project, a program where the Senior Youth Group and adult members of the congregation traveled to depressed areas in Appalachia to repair homes for people in need. He also sang in the choir, played in the bell choir, and was an active participant in the music and theater outreach program. He acted and sang in many theatrical productions at the church, including performing the roles of Captain Von Trapp in the Sound of Music, Daddy Warbucks in Annie, Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, and Jud Fry in Oklahoma.

John was the son of the late George and Katie Shane and the brother of the late Roger Shane. He was the loving husband of Susan Shane and devoted father of Jennifer Shane and her husband Bernhard Firner. John will always be remembered as a loving, supportive father and role model who was actively engaged in his daughter's childhood and adult life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Packanack Community Church (120 Lake Drive East, Wayne, New Jersey, 07470) would be greatly appreciated. (Please indicate Memorial Donation for John Shane in your memo.)