John W. Hanlon, Sr.

John W. Hanlon, Sr., age 64 of Riverdale, died on Saturday, June 22, 2019, after a courageous battle with cancer. He had lived in Riverdale since 1980.

John grew up in Nutley before moving to Caldwell as a child. He graduated from James Caldwell High School in 1972 and joined the U.S. Army. He also worked as Manager of a Hess gas station in Mahwah before getting a job with the Township of Fairfield DPW. Working as a heavy equipment operator for the first 25 years, he then transitioned to the engineering department as an inspector. As a retirement hobby, John bought his own backhoe, and opened Hanlon Construction Services, helping many families and businesses in the area. He was known to his friends and neighbors as a capable and reliable handyman.

John was generally a quiet guy--until he got to know you. He was a great storyteller with a dry sense of humor, and he always had one-liners to make you laugh. John had a private curiosity for writing, trying his hand at short stories and poetry, but it was music that played a special role in his life. He played the piano, harmonica, and bagpipes, and many years ago he started singing in the choir at St. Mary’s Church in Pompton Lakes. He later sang in the choir at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark. In 2003, he was invited to tour Europe with the choir and that trip was highlighted by singing for Pope John Paul II at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. In 2007, John auditioned and was selected to sing at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. While with the choir in NYC, he had the honor to sing for His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, during his Pastoral Visit to New York in April 2008. Later that year, he sang for President George W. Bush at the White House for the National Day of Prayer.

Family was always important to John, and the values he learned as the oldest brother he applied to his own family. That started when he met Marian on the dancefloor in 1976. John was a great dancer, and Marian noticed his stylish moves. Their first date was to “Rod’s,” an upscale restaurant with a historic ambiance. Despite Marian flinging her baked potato to the floor that night, John proposed within three months of meeting her. They selected a ring together, and Marian would take her friends to see it at the store while John worked for months to pay for it. They were married on April 8, 1978, and honeymooned on the island of St. Maarten. They first lived in the Lakeland section of Wanaque before moving to their home in Riverdale. Raising their two children was a joy, and John took great pride in the achievements of his kids. Having a pool in the backyard was an added pleasure, as it was an enjoyable way for the family to spend the summer. As hard a worker as John was--and there wasn't a day he didn't have sore hands or feet--he emphasized the need for taking time to relax. He made this a priority for his family, and at least one trip down the shore was guaranteed every summer. He worked all year for that one week of sailing on the bay, coffee breaks at Ebby's, and bicycle rides with his family. In the 41 years that have passed since John and Marian were married, John has remained the love of her life and she will miss him dearly.

John is survived by his loving wife Marian (nee Tenthoff) of Riverdale, his son John Jr. and wife Aimee of Parsippany, his daughter Bethany and husband Christoffer of Stanley, NC, his two grandsons Elias and Liam Hanlon of Parsippany, his brother Henry Hanlon, Jr. and wife Janet of Barnegat, NJ, his brother Edward Hanlon and wife Barbara of Oakton, VA, and his sister Evelyn of Lincoln Park, NJ. John was predeceased by his parents Henry A. and Evelyn (nee Burkhardt), and by his 4-year-old brother Thomas many years ago.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in John’s name to a cancer research charity of your choice.