John J Ference, Jr.

In Loving Memory

John J. Ference, Jr.

November 11, 1942 - April 2, 2025

John J. Ference, Jr., 82, of Kinnelon passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. He was the son of John and Elizabeth (née Klein) Ference. He is survived by his daughter Lisa Ference-Hammond and her husband John Hammond, his grandchildren John and Jillian Hammond, his daughter-in-law Heather Rothschild, his brother Roy, and his brother Denis and wife Nancy as well as his nieces, nephews and cousins. He also leaves behind his sweet Yorkie, Molly, who has been his best friend and companion over the last two years. He was predeceased by his wife Joan who was the love of his life for 60 years, and his sons John and David as well as his sister-in-law Phyllis.

After growing up in the Ironbound section of Newark, he and his wife settled in Kearny where they raised their three children. They relocated to Kinnelon over 20 years ago to have a beautiful place to enjoy their later years. John was a graduate of Seton Hall Preparatory School as well as Seton Hall University where he studied Economics. As computers became an important part of business, he learned programming and was able to write extensive programs in machine language. He spent many years working at Economy Bookbinding in Kearny before moving to Sansui Electronics, and finally to Liz Claiborne in Secaucus. After leaving Liz, he got his real estate license and began working with Weichert Realtors in Kinnelon, a job he truly enjoyed. He also worked at Home Depot in Riverdale where he developed many strong friendships.

John enjoyed traveling with his wife and family. From a trip across the country in a motor home to spending two weeks each year at his timeshare in Aruba, he made sure to create a lifetime of memories. John always stood in the background, letting the light shine on his wife or his children, and never taking credit for all the good that he did. His generous and kind heart will never be forgotten.

One more day, one more time 

One more sunset, maybe I’d be satisfied

But then again, I know what it would do

Leave me wishing still for one more day with you.

-Diamond Rio

Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 5 from 2pm to 5pm at the Morrison Etheridge Funeral Home, 86 Bartholdi Avenue in Butler, NJ. A prayer service will be offered at 4pm also at the funeral home.