John Sheridan

John J. Sheridan, age 81 of Pompton Plains, died unexpectedly on Saturday, February 15, 2020.  He has lived in Pompton Plains for 50 years.

John worked his entire professional career with Bell Telephone as an installer.  He remained with the company through all the name changes over the years and retired in 1999.  His service was marked by numerous awards for dedication and exemplary work ethic, including recognition for not taking a ‘sick day’ in a record number of years.  He loved his job and the crew he worked with.

John grew up in Wayne and after graduating from high school, he joined the U.S. Air Force and served from 1957-1961.  Upon being discharged, he returned to Wayne and a romance with his high school sweetheart ensued.  Barbara Stuart was also John’s next door neighbor and they had known each other since they were kids.  They were married on June 6, 1964, and after a honeymoon to Mt. Airy Lodge in the Poconos, they settled at the Beaver Brook Apartments in Lincoln Park. Their daughter, Michelle, was born in 1968.  In 1969, they moved to Pompton Plains where they raised their daughter.  Over the years, they enjoyed summer vacations to Wildwood Crest, many holiday events with extended family, and fun days at PV Park that continued with the granddaughters.  John was also a HUGE fan of the NY GIANTS and the YANKEES, especially Derek Jeter.  He held Giants season tickets for many years and rarely missed a game. His daughter shared his love of sports and watching games together on TV and at the stadiums.

Sadly, John lost his beloved Barbara suddenly in 1999, and he was nothing short of devastated. New life was breathed into him when his granddaughters were born.  They were the greatest thing for him.  He was an “on the floor” type of “Pop-Pop” to Courtney and Danielle, playing with toys on the carpet, and having a great time with them always.  The girls especially loved visiting “Pop-Pop’s beach,” which was what they called PV Park.  After a fun day of swimming, they would all go to Curly’s for ice cream.  He also enjoyed playing basketball with them, joking around, trips to Dunkin’ Donuts, and they recently introduced him to the filters on Snapchat and they would take fun selfies.  He simply loved those girls more than anything and they brought him more joy than they probably know.  Surely they will miss their Pop-Pop dearly. As everyone knows, John and Michelle had a very special band, and John freely expressed the love and pride he had for his daughter, and hers of him.

John is survived by his daughter; Michelle Rizzo and her husband Jack of Parsippany, his two granddaughters, Courtney, 15, and Danielle, 11, and three sisters; Edythe Shaw of Wayne, Maryann Connolly of Fairfield, and Mildred Ferraro of Wayne.  He was predeceased by his wife Barbara in 1999.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the American Heart Association.