John F. Popola

AGE: 88 • Formerly of Sayreville

John F. Popola, age 88, formerly of Sayreville died Saturday, September 6 at the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home in Edison. Born in Newark, he resided most of his life in Sayreville, then Toms River and finally he moved to the Veterans Home about 5 years ago. John served in the Navy during World War II aboard the USS Franklin which was badly damaged by a Japanese air attack that resulted in a loss of 800 crewmen, becoming the most heavily damaged carrier to survive the war. John received the Purple Heart Medal for wounds received in the attack. John retired after 36 years with the South Amboy Post Office as the Assistant Post Master. After his retirement he also worked in the Mail Department of the Garden State Parkway. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, he was an avid bowler and he was a huge New York Yankees and Giants fan.

John was predeceased by a daughter, Frances Clark and a brother, Bob Popola. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Loretta (nee Flynn) Popola; a son and daughter-in-law, John and Kathleen Popola of North Hanover Twp.; a daughter and son-in-law, Joanne and Tony Cser of Amelia, VA; two brothers, Tom Popola of Florida and Pat Popola of California; a sister, Violet Bruno of Parlin; seven grandchildren, Alan John Ellison, Mary Fran Clark, Tammy Horner, Jaclyn Popola, Lindsey Popola, Steven Popola and Matthew Popola; seven great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for John will be held on Wednesday, September 10 at 12:00 Noon at the Tilghman Funeral Home, 52 Main Street, New Egypt, NJ 08533 (www.tilghmanfh.com), with burial to follow in the BGWCD Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Arneytown. Calling hours will be on Tuesday evening, September 9 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM and again on Wednesday morning from 10:00 AM until noon at the funeral home. Due to cemetery restrictions, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in John’s memory may be made to the Disabled American Veterans (www.dav.org/donate). – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/app/obituary.aspx?n=john-f-popola&pid=172386729&fhid=15170&eid=sp_ommatch#sthash.5BVzg1dR.dpuf

Published in Asbury Park Press & Home News Tribune on Sept. 8, 2014