John Jay “Jack” Charlton of Long Branch, NJ, a retired Army research engineer who was a long-time environmental advocate in Monmouth County, passed away at Rose Garden Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Toms River on December 9, 2024. Jack was born in Boonton, NJ, the third and youngest child of Frank and Virginia Charlton. He resided in Boonton where he was a star runner on the track and cross country teams at Boonton High School until departing for college and then the US Army, where he was a corporal and served for two years. Jack received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of New Hampshire and his Master’s from Stevens Institute of Technology. He was employed at Fort Monmouth in the Army’s Electronic Warfare Laboratory and led a team of seven scientists providing technical support in Vietnam with numerous lengthy deployments during the war.

Kindhearted, generous and soft-spoken, Jack was active for many years in the Big Brothers and Meals on Wheels, as well as Monmouth County Friends of Clearwater. He gave water testing classes and scientific expos on the environment for Clearwater, and wrote letters to the editor and op-ed pieces on ecological issues. An avid skier from his youth until his 70s, he was a founder of the Schussboomers Ski Club of Monmouth County. His hobbies included gardening and carpentry, and he made bird houses and planters that he donated to different charities.

Jack was survived by his wife Barbara Charlton, who has just passed away on December 11, 2024. Surviving is his son Wayne and his wife, Donna, of Holiday, FL;  his stepchildren Michael Will and his wife Melanie of Florida, Ilene Allen and her husband John of North Carolina, and Steve Will and his wife Susan of Ocean Gate, NJ; 12 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren. Jack is also predeceased by his parents Frank and Virginia, his son Wendell Charlton and his siblings Alice Heaton and A. Lloyd Charlton.

A memorial gathering will be held for Jack and his wife Barbara on Saturday, January 11, 2025 from 10:00 am until the time of the Celebration of Life at 1:00 pm at the Damiano Funeral Home, 191 Franklin Avenue, Long Branch, NJ 07740.  The family invites you to leave a letter of condolence by selecting the Tribute/Guestbook link above.