Obituary of John Peter Kunzweiler

John Peter Kunzweiler of Rockaway, NJ passed away on April 26^th at the age of 90.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, John later lived in Hasbrouck Heights where he and his wife Ann raised their 5 children before retiring to Rockaway. John served in the Army and later devoted 35 years of work as a Financial Analyst at Bendix (Allied Signal Aerospace) Corporation where he developed life-long friendships -
as he did at every stage of his life. 

If you knew John, you knew Christ! John kept Christ and his Catholic faith at the very center of everything he did. He worked very hard to support and raise his 5 children and each and every one of them still practice the Catholic faith. He thought this was, by far, his greatest accomplishment!

Ever serving, ever giving, ever listening, John spent much of his time volunteering and working with Pro Ecclesia magazine and the Missionaries of Charity. He spent time in India working alongside Mother Theresa and serving ‘the poorest of the poor’ His devotion to The Blessed Mother was deep and the rosary was his go to. He never went anywhere without some extra pairs of rosaries in his pocket so he could give them to people he met along the way who might need them. 

John was a member of St Bernard’s church in Rockaway and spent his earlier years serving at Corpus Christi parish in Hasbrouck Heights - leading the singing group, ushering, creating his masterpiece  “The Stations of the Cross” which touched so many. A recurring theme in John’s tributes is his uncanny gift of listening, truly listening, and engaging with whomever he was speaking, interested in every detail of their lives, as if they were the only person in the room.

During retirement, John was able to enjoy his children in a new light, along with his 15 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. “Papa Johnny” became his new name, and he wore it proudly! John continually brought his adventurous spirit, sense of humor and his great faith to all he met, and his grandchildren were no exception. He was a role model to many.

Predeceased by his brother George Kunzweiler, sister Jeanie Kunzweiler, wife Ann (McLevedge) Kunzweiler, John is survived by his children: Jo-Ann Simon (Casey), Stephen Kunzweiler (Jane), Lisa Hart (Brian), Laura Howe (Bob), Patrice Flatau (Carl). Grandchildren: Mathew, Mitchell, Jessica, Juliann (Dan), Robert, Kelsey (John), Joanna (Anthony), Jake, Emily (Andrew), John, Leigh Ann, Ryan, Stephen, Clara and Anna. Great Grandchildren: Noah, Lilly, Jack, Benjamin, Ellison, and Leo.

Public Visitation will be held on Monday, May 1st from 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 pm at Norman Dean Home for Services, 16 Righter Avenue, Denville. Traditional Requiem Mass will be held on Tuesday, May 2nd at 10:30 am at St. Anthony of Padua Oratory, 1360 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ 07052. Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover. Memorial Donations are being accepted in John's memory to either Good Counsel, Inc., 600 Meadowlands Parkway, Suite 251, Secaucus, NJ 07094 or by clicking here or LIFENET, P.O. Box 1800, Montclair, NJ 07042 or by clicking here. Please leave a condolence, light a candle, and share your favorite memory of John here to continue to celebrate his incredible life.