John Herrmann

Jack Herrmann

4/18/43-4/6/20

With broken hearts we announce that John A.P. “Jack” Herrmann passed away just before his 77th birthday, on April 6, 2020.

Cherished husband of 36 years to Joyce (nee Klein), father to John, Melissa (Mabee), Nicole and Peter. Devoted brother to Mary Ellen (Manogue), Bill (deceased) and David (Julia).  Brother-in-law to Ronna Sepielli and Scott Klein. Son of Hans and Helen Herrmann-Von Glahn (deceased, nee Touhey), stepson of Henry “Hank” Von Glahn (deceased). Grandfather to Chelsea, Sydney, Amanda, Rachel and Nicholas.  Uncle and Great Uncle to many, many nieces and nephews. Also missing him and looking for him is Lola, his loyal furry companion with the perfect crooked smile.

The oldest of four children, Jack was born in Queens Village, NY and grew up in Union City, Saddle Brook and Hackensack, NJ..  He was an attentive son to his mother Helen and older brother to Mary Ellen, Bill and Dave. He attended Bergen County Regional Vocational and Technical High School in Hackensack, NJ.. He served in the United States  Army from 1965 - 1967 in Korea, where he learned the skills that he would build into his lifelong work in the Electrical Union (Local 164 IBEW NJ) until his retirement. In his time as an electrician he worked on NJ landmarks such as Giants Stadium and the many casinos of Atlantic City, NJ.

It was in Atlantic City that he met his beautiful wife, Joyce, who spent her life loving him and raising their family  in Manahawkin, NJ. Always up for a good time out, the two of them built a lifetime of memories going to restaurants and shows with family and friends.  Jack also loved sitting at home in front of the fire, watching a movie with everyone (as long as there was no talking), or cheering for the Dallas Cowboys on chilly Sunday afternoons.  From eleven am to noon, every day, he was glued to the TV for “The Price is Right” and would rarely take phone calls during that hour. His family was finally able to get through to him once he learned to use the DVR to pause his show.

A lifelong Yankee fan, along with the rest of his family, he enjoyed teaching his children and grandchildren to love baseball and attended many games in the “House That Ruth Built.”  He loved spending time down the shore and taught his children and grandchildren to fish and swim off the dock behind the house. Sadly, he endured many coastal storms and had to rebuild after hurricane Sandy in 2012.  Even though he was retired, he never stopped working. He made the home beautiful, inside and out. He loved to brag about his azalea bushes and beautiful dock lights along the water. The last project he finished was his ground floor bar which was enjoyed by all the family this last Thanksgiving.

Along with Joyce, Jack loved cooking large Sunday morning breakfasts to the tunes of Frank Sinatra, as he firmly stated: “No rock n roll on Sunday mornings.”  He was a master of the BBQ who would often present the meal while urging “tell me this is the best you’ve ever had!” Sydney and Nicholas wholeheartedly agreed with him and will miss his famous BBQ chicken legs.

He taught us to throw a baseball, drive a boat, carry firewood and the joys of weeding the front yard. He was there for baseball games, basketball games and all of Nicole and Peter’s years in their high school marching band. Jack and Joyce spent many a damp and chilly Saturday carrying equipment to band competitions throughout the state and even to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.  He was proud to say “I’m with the band.”

In addition to his family life, he was active in the community as a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose of Manahawkin, the Manahawkin Elks Lodge and was a founding member of the Sportsman’s Club of Manahawkin; where Nicole spent her early years as the mascot.  Friends will remember his participation in community fundraisers and playing Santa Claus in his very own Santa suit for many years.

“Grandpa Jack” loved being with Chelsea, Sydney, Amanda, Rachel and Nicholas.  He rocked them to sleep on his shoulder as babies and attempted to steal their ice cream when they got a bit older: “Look over there! Mickey Mouse!!” Terrific memories were made over endless games of Monopoly and Uno. In recent years he entertained them with his attempts to send text messages on his trusty “flip phone.”

Cherished husband, Dad and Grandpa. He was there when we needed him and shared our joys and heartaches. His family will forever find him in the mischievous grins of his grandchildren, the laughter during the gatherings of family and friends, and the sparkle on the water down the shore.  Our hearts are shattered and we will try to move forward with the laughter and memories that remain.

Memorial services to be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to support efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in Jack’s community at:

http://1409.thankyou4caring.org/pages/donation-page---somc