John P. Talerico

John Talerico passed into eternal life on January 13, 2021. John was born in Long Branch on June 24 1924, one of nine children of Santo and Angelina Talerico. He served honorably in the Army during World War II in the 104th Infantry Division (the “Timberwolves”), landing in France in 1944, participating in various offensives in the Netherlands and Belgium, and culminating in the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, John graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in civil engineering. He became a senior vice president of an international engineering firm managing engineering projects in the United States and abroad where he got to know and to appreciate the diverse racial ethnic and religious cultures of the various countries he visited.

John was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and of the National Society of Professional Engineers. He served as President of the New Jersey Consulting Engineers Council, was a Fellow of the American Consulting Engineers Council, and a Director of the New Jersey Alliance for Action.

John was a parishioner of the Holy Trinity Church and Star of the Sea Church in Long Branch, of Our Lady of Victories Church in Harrington Park, and of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Highlands. He was a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a Scout Master for a Boy Scout troop in Long Branch, and vice chairman of the Planning Board there. In Harrington Park, John was Chairman of the Planning Board and directed a school expansion program.

In his retirement, John found joy and purpose as a volunteer with Collier Youth Services, as a volunteer for the Monmouth County judiciary program working with first time child offenders, and especially as a reader to young children in public schools with Monmouth County Family and Children's Services.

John was most proud of his family: his wife Jennifer, his children Derrick and Stacia, and his grandchildren Sydney, Carter, Jennifer, Miles, and Ian. He was predeceased by his parents, by his siblings Joseph, Fiore, Peter, Sam, Mary, Al, and Tony, and his wife Jennifer Springer. He is survived by his son Derrick and daughter-in-law Trish, by his daughter Stacia and son-in-law Geoff Rothrock, by his sister Ginny and brother-in-law Jim, by his sisters-in-law Rose, Donna, and Nancy, and by his brother-in-law Bob, and by many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at the Damiano Funeral Home in Long Branch by private appointment with the family. The Funeral Mass will be live streamed on Friday, January 22 beginning at 10:30 am. Entombment with Military Honors will also be live streamed at approximately 11:30 am. Both services will also be available for later viewing. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Jennifer Springer to the American Cancer Society, 2310 Rt. 34, Suite 1D, Manasquan, NJ 08736. The family invites you to leave a letter of condolence by selecting the Tribute/Guestbook link above.