John Ference

In Loving Memory

John M. Ference

January 11, 1967 - March 9, 2023

John M. Ference, 56, of Kinnelon and formerly of Kearny passed away on Thursday, March 9, 2023 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He is survived by his parents, Joan and John Ference, his sister Lisa Ference-Hammond and her husband John, his beloved niece and nephew Jillian and John Hammond, and sister-in-law Heather Rothschild. He was predeceased by his grandparents, John and Elizabeth Ference, and his brother David Ference a brief three months before.

While growing up in Kearny, Johnny was a member of the Boy Scouts Troop 2 where he made many life long friends. He graduated from Seton Hall Preparatory School and went on to train at Engine City Technical Institute in Union, graduating in 1986. He began his career at Crane Carrier Corporation in 1987. He worked there for 12 years as a drivetrain technician and then moved on to Atlantic Detroit Diesel Allison in Lodi, NJ. He spent the last 25 years working as an Allison Technician. He was well respected by everyone he had worked with, and was known to always be willing to help at any time.

Although tough on the exterior Johnny was a softie with a big heart, especially when it came to his niece and nephew. Many of his happiest times were those spent with them, most recently on an August trip to Oahu where he introduced Jillian and John to Pearl Harbor, malasadas, shave ice and the North Shore. On the many trips to Disney, Uncle John was always the "tour guide", knowing his way around all the parks like second nature. His most prized possession was his Dodge RAM pickup truck, which he spent many hours caring for. His sense of humor will be greatly missed.

"If possible,

I would ask

for one more day

with you,

but, of course,

if it was possible,

one more day

would not be enough."

- Edward Lee

Visitation will be held on Monday, March 13 from 4pm until 8pm at The Morrison Etheridge Funeral Home, 86 Bartholdi Ave., Butler, NJ. A prayer service will be offered at 7pm also at the funeral home. All other services will be private.