|
John Gerald Wactor, Sr., son of Helen Smith and the late Ivory S.
Wactor was born in Plainfield, New Jersey on October 17, 1943.
He graduated from Abraham Clark High School in Roselle, where he excelled in
football and basketball, on June 21st, 1962 with the Class of 1962.
While in the U. S. Air Force, John married Willie Mae Bryant and started a
family. He went to McGuire Air Force
Base where he served as an air traffic control operator. He was most importantly known for
exceeding the number of jumps as a paratrooper. For this he received a special pin, which he proudly wears
today. He was honorably discharged on
September 25, 1967.
He attended Union County College, which prepared him for future
employment.
His employment accomplishments included: serving as credit manager for W.T.
Grant Company of Clark for 12 years, he was the public relations manager at
Auto Land in Springfield in the Customer Satisfaction Index department (CSI)
from 1987-1992, he was assistant director of the Union County Court House in
Elizabeth where he served as accountant for the division of human resources
from 1980-1986, he was a mail handler at the Edison Kilmer district post
office from September 4, 1993-1996 during which time he received a special
achievement award for acting quickly to prevent injury to others by
extinguishing a fire, and he had been an insurance agent for Monumental Life
Insurance Company in Union where he made the top 5 agents list for several
weeks.
Johnny was a gifted athlete. He
played softball throughout his entire adulthood. He played on Jim Jenson's All-Star Team of the CBS television
station, ETS Express, Electra Air, Jerry's Friendly Lounge of Roselle and
others. He also played in Canada for
the minor leagues many years ago.
From 1999 to the time of his passing, he played softball for the 50's
and 60's teams of the Union County Softball League. He was manager and player of various sponsored teams throughout
his time.
For the past 2 years, he sponsored his own team of talented players. This team is known as "Iceman's
Karaoke". He could play any
position, although he preferred shortstop or 3rd base. He loved and was proud of his
players. But as he grew weary, this
team of excellent guys, led by Lester "Super" Riddick, kept the
team together in his name and finished the year out.
Johnny loved bowling and played for many years in various leagues. However, singing karaoke was his greatest
passion. He acquainted himself with
many karaoke establishments. He loved
it so much, that he became a karaoke DJ and did many parties and events under
his nickname, "Iceman". But
most of all he wanted to sing. A
couple of years ago, he found the Private Place of East Orange where he
thought the DJs were the best ever and the people were outstanding.
John Gerald Wactor, Sr. departed this life on Friday, September 18, 2009 at
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick at the age of
65. He was predeceased by a son, John
Gerald Wactor, Jr. on May 28, 1967.
He leaves to cherish fond memories, his wife, Donna L. Wactor; mother, Helen
Smith; children, Dawn Hawkins (Mark), Dennis Wactor, Sherri Wactor and DiJohn
Wactor (Nicole); 1 sister, Diane C. Wactor; 1 brother, Anthony
"Tony" Wactor; 19 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, and a host
of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
|
|
