John Paul Burgio, W2JB SK

Our dear friend John, W2JB passed away on February 1, 2011. John had recently celebrated his 90th birthday.

John was born in Caldwell, NJ and lived in the Caldwells all his life.

John was a ham and licensed for almost 75 years.

Both John and his wife Jane have had remarkable careers throughout their lives. An Electrical Engineering graduate of Lehigh University, John wore many hats. As an FCC inspector he inspected ship radios. As a former Army Second Lieutenant during WWII, he served with the 977th Signal Service Headquarters Command in the Mediterranean theater and later served in Greece setting up radio stations to report to Allied headquarters. John later worked RCA in Philadelphia and then later on became a local entrepreneur and small business owner until he retired in 1980.

John's wife, Jane was the former New Jersey secretary of state under Gov. Thomas Kean and also served in the New Jersey state assembly. She passed away in 2005.

John was the recipient of many honors in the ham radio community including receiving honors from the American Radio Relay League and Quarter Century Wireless Association. He was also honored by Sen. Barry M. Goldwater of Arizona (K7UGA) for his work in freeing two civilian vessels that were held for ransom in Indonesia in 1969.

John was involved in the restoration and operation of Grover Cleveland's birthplace, and was involved in supporting the arts and several civic and political organizations.

John was also a beloved father and grandfather.

The funeral will be held on Monday, February 7 at the First Presbyterian Church at Caldwell, New Jersey on Bloomfield Avenue. Relatives and friends are also invited to visit with the family on Sunday February 6 at Dancy Funeral home, 9 Smull Avenue, Caldwell, New Jersey from 1PM to 5PM.

In lieu of Flowers, donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church at Caldwell memorial Fund, 326 Bloomfield Ave., Caldwell NJ 07006, the Adler Aphasia Center, 60 West Hunter Ave., Maywood NJ 07607, or the Paper Mill Playhouse, 22 Brookside Dr., Millburn, NJ.

On behalf of the North Jersey DX association we express our sincerest condolences to John's family and friends.

73
Ryan, N2RJ
Secretary, North Jersey DX Association

 

Thanks for sharing, Vlad! Do you have any more photos? I would be interested in seeing them. Please let me know.