Obituary of John F. Delahunt

John F. Delahunt, a longtime Florham Park resident, passed away peacefully at St. Clare’s Hospice in Dover on Saturday, February 4, 2023. He was 94.

John is survived by his devoted daughter, Tracy LaPelusa and her husband Scott; 6 cherished grandchildren, Melissa Neugroschel, Chris Neugroschel, Cory Neugroschel, Kelly Simpson, Andrew LaPelusa and Jessica (LaPelusa) Goldblatt; 7 treasured great-grandchildren, Jordan Morris, Zion Neugroschel, Ava Neugroschel, Scarlet Neugroschel, Brayden Neugroschel, Kaleb LaPelusa and Jaxon Goldblatt; his precious great-great-granddaughter, Lilianna Morris; and many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 49 years, Edith Delahunt (née Lubben); his daughter, Robin Simpson; his brother, Peter Greg Godfrey Delahunt; and his sister, Joan Anderson.

John was born on November 3, 1928 in East Orange to the late John F. and Margaret Delahunt (née Adamson). He was a first generation American born from Scottish immigrant parents and was extremely proud of his Scottish heritage. He grew up in Nutley where he met his future wife Edith at a local church gathering. The couple married on October 12, 1957 and moved to Florham Park in 1961 to raise their 2 daughters.

John served his country honorably in the US Army during World War II and was very proud of his service. He had an affinity for World War II history and enjoyed visiting museums and reading biographies and history books on the subject. He had a special fondness for planes, and had the opportunity to fly in the cockpit of a plane at the age of 90. He also travelled to France to visit the D-Day beaches.

John attended Upsala College in East Orange and obtained his Masters degree from Newark College of Engineering in 1960. He worked as an engineer for Esso Research & Engineering (now ExxonMobil) from 1954 to 1995, and as a contractor for Carmagen Engineering from 1995 until his retirement in 2003. He was a member of NACE and taught many corrosion courses. He also taught Sunday School at Roseville Presbyterian in Newark and “Senior Highs” in Florham Park. John travelled all over the world for work and enjoyed vacationing in Cape May at least once a year, appreciating the air show when he was able to attend.

Above all John was an amazing husband, father and grandfather who loved his family deeply. He had a great sense of humor and touched many lives. His legacy lives on in his family and in all who knew and loved him.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation for John held on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Madison Memorial Home, 159 Main Street, Madison.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, February 9, 2023 at the funeral home.

Interment with military honors will follow at Restland Memorial Park, 77 Deforest Avenue, East Hanover.

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions in John’s memory may be made to The Seeing Eye, PO Box 375, Morristown, NJ 07963, NJ Talking Book & Braille Center, PO Box 501, Trenton, NJ 08625, or The National WWII Museum, 945 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70130.