John Joseph Manzo

John Joseph Manzo left us peacefully on August 11, 2026, surrounded by his daughters. He lived 98 remarkable years, leaving behind a lifetime of projects, traditions, adventures, music, and memories. He is now reunited in eternal peace with Jean, his beloved wife of 69 years.

John was born in Jersey City, NJ, to Antonio and Jean Ricciuto Manzo, on April 10, 1928. From an early age, John was hardworking and independent. As a boy, he delivered newspapers by bicycle, and he loved riding horses for fun. His father would sometimes take him to Little Coney Island on First Street as a special treat, a simple childhood outing that remained among his memories of growing up in Jersey City. These early years were a fitting beginning to a long life filled with work, adventure, family, and a love of the outdoors.

John proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from November 1950 to May 1952. Stationed in Mannheim, Germany, he served as the personal driver for Colonel Emerson.

Many years later, he played a key role in the Military Ocean Terminal at Bayonne’s port operations, supporting Exercise REFORGER ’90, a logistical campaign led by NATO to test rapid deployment of military equipment. His efforts helped make the port operation one of the finest to date, an accomplishment for which he was formally recognized. In 1991, he continued this work in support of Operation Desert Shield, where his contributions were formally recognized by the commanding officer on multiple occasions.

John loved music, especially Billy Eckstine and Frank Sinatra, and he had a lovely singing voice of his own. During his time in Germany, he had the extraordinary opportunity to sing on stage with Pearl Bailey, an experience later highlighted in the Army’s Stars and Stripes newspaper.

After the war, John and his Jersey City friends spent their summers visiting Asbury Park. It was there that he met Jean, the woman who would become his wife. In a story that perfectly captures John’s personality, he simply helped himself to a seat on Jean’s beach blanket, and their summer courtship began. John loved the shore, and when they married, he moved to Asbury Park to begin their life together. Their family eventually grew to include four daughters.

John was employed by ILA Local #1588, where he worked as an operations manager for the stevedores. A lifelong builder and tinkerer, John took great pride in creating things with his own hands. In the late 1960s, he recruited skilled friends and relatives to help him build a custom home for his family on Whalepond Road in Oakhurst, NJ. He worked alongside his family network of masons, plumbers, electricians, and other tradesmen on weekends and during vacation days, until it was move-in ready several years later.

This home was unmistakably John’s. Its landscaping was adorned with artifacts from John’s career, including a large ship anchor and massive anchor chains, draped around pink cherry blossom trees and homemade birdhouses. This house became more than a place to live - it was a place where generations of family came together for holidays, card games, and summer cookouts. The Manzos made memories at this special place for 53 years.

John loved the sunshine. When New Jersey grew cold, he and Jean headed south to their home in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, their happy place. There, they welcomed their daughters and grandchildren, making memories walking the beach, fishing, crabbing, and tending the small garden in their backyard. When he wasn’t enjoying time with his family there, he was often traveling between NJ, PA, and other parts of Florida to be with his daughters and grandchildren at sporting events, concerts, birthday parties, and the like. John was happiest surrounded by family and with a project to work on, or else watching the Orlando Magic or New York Mets.

In 1977, John became a founding member of the Italian American Association of the Township of Ocean, in Ocean Township, NJ. The club became an important part of his life. He enjoyed regular rounds of golf and bocce with his friends, but perhaps his most beloved tradition was making zeppole for the annual summer festival.

Each summer, John and his club buddies spent nearly a week preparing the batter for festival’s mouthwatering Italian doughnuts, then frying and sugaring them for festival-goers each evening. These treats were hit, with recent counts totaling as many as 50,000 doughnuts distributed in brown paper bags.

John never missed a festival. He would walk the half-mile down his own street to the festival grounds, wearing his red IAATO T-shirt, ready to

help man the zeppole stand. John wore his IAATO uniform proudly, again, to celebrate the club’s 50th festival in 2026 - just days before his passing. It was a fitting final celebration for a man who loved his family, his friends, his traditions, and the community he helped build.

John was a devoted husband to Jean June Manzo for 69 years, and a loving father to Maryann Combs (George), Debra Manzo, Linda Hirsch (Kevin), and Patricia Cooper (Gerry).

He was the proud grandfather of nine: George Combs Jr. (Sarah), John Combs (Claire), Jacquelyn Wilburn (Erik), Alexis Manzo, Zachary Hirsch (Jackie), Dakota Hirsch, Trey Cooper, (fiancee, Ashley) Michael Cooper, and Anna Cooper.

He was also a beloved great-grandfather to six: Wendy, George, Robin, Helena, Rudolf, and Cooper, with number seven on the way.

John is survived by his sister Clorinda Manzo DeSalvo, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Marty and Anthony, and his sister, Sister Alberta Manzo OSF (Lorraine Angelina Manzo), of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia.

John’s life was defined by the things he built, but his greatest legacy was the family, friendships, traditions, and memories he built along the way. His family will remember his stories, his songs, his sense of humor, his love of the shore and sunshine, his willingness to show up for the people he loved, and the countless ways he made life a little more interesting. His traditions will continue, his stories will be told, and his memory will remain part of the family for generations to come.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday September 10, 2026 at 10:30 A.M. at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Roman Catholic Church, 1201 Asbury Ave, Asbury Park, NJ. Interment will take place following the mass at St. Catharine’s Cemetery, 1100 W Chicago Blvd, Sea Girt, NJ 08750.

Please join the family for a luncheon immediately following the service at The Renaissance, 1110 NJ-35, Ocean Township, NJ 07712.

Services are entrusted to Jersey Shore Cremation Service, 43 Taylor Avenue, Manasquan, NJ - JerseyShoreCremation.com