Thursday November 24th 2022
John Tarantino, age 97, passed away on Thursday, November 24, 2022 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune. Born on November 27, 1924 in Brooklyn, NY, John was one of six children. John was a graduate of John Adams High School in Ozone Park, NY and was drafted into the US Army when he turned 18. He served in the European Theater of Operations and was in the 47th Armored Infantry Battalion, 5th Armored Division, 3rd Army commanded by General Patton. He landed at Utah Beach in Normandy five weeks after the D-Day invasion. He participated in the liberation of Luxembourg and the Battle of Hurtgen Forest. He then fought at the Battle of the Bulge and narrowly avoided being killed in the Malmedy Massacre. After 5 months of fighting, John was 1 of 2 soldiers who were not killed or wounded out of over 200 men in his company who landed at Utah Beach. He suffered severe frostbite for which he was under treatment his entire life. John spent months in the hospital in Wales and then in the USA recuperating from his wounds before receiving an honorable discharge from the Army. He is a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organization. John has been honored as an Honoree Veteran at the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C. and by the Counsel General of Luxembourg at a Battle of the Bulge Survivor Reunion and Monument Dedication in Port Monmouth, NJ. The DAV also honored John by raising $10k to train a rescue dog and then naming the dog “JT” in his honor. He has spoken at numerous ceremonies honoring veterans throughout the State of New Jersey. His awards include the WWII European Campaign Ribbon with 3 Bronze Battle Stars, the Purple Heart, and the Combat Infantryman Badge. After his time in the United States Army, John spent the majority of his career in consumer soft goods with Montgomery Ward and Sears, Roebuck & Co. John moved to Fairway Mews in Spring Lake Heights in 1988 where he was an active golfer and founded the Men’s 9-Hole Club. He also was a founder of and participant in the Bocce Club. He is predeceased by his wife, Gloria P. Tarantino in 2001; his brother, Joseph Tarantino and his sister, Marie Farrenkoph. Surviving are his loving companion and friend of 16 years, Jean Cuccaro; his brother, Frank Tarantino; his sisters, Vincenza Mangan and Loretta Diehr along with many nieces, nephews and friends. Viewing will be held on Monday, November 28, 2022 from 3-7 p.m. at O’Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Hwy 35, Wall. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Tuesday, November 29th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Catharine’s RC Church, Spring Lake followed by the entombment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Disabled Veterans National Foundation, Volunteers of America, Donations Department, 1660 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314 or K9’s For Warriors, 114 Camp K9 Road, Ponte Vedra, FL 32081. Read Less
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of John Tarantino Thursday November 24th 2022.
Death notice for the town of: -, state: New Jersey