John L. Peters
May 15, 1955 ~ July 14, 2020
Peters, John, L. “Jack”, age 65, a lifelong resident of Leonia, passed suddenly on Tuesday July 14, 2020. A graduate of Leonia High School, Jack was a retired Police Officer for the Borough of Leonia. After retirement, he worked as a Construction & Zoning Official for Leonia and Closter. Jack was an active firefighter for over 45 years with Leonia Volunteer Fire Company #1 where he served as Company Vice President and President, as well as Department Engineer, Lieutenant, Deputy Chief, and Chief. He also served on the Executive Board for the East Bergen Firefighters Mutual Aid Association. Jack was an active member of the Presbyterian Church in Leonia where he served as an Elder.
Beloved husband of 41 years to Karen Peters (nee: Delany). Devoted father of Kristen Richter and her husband Chris and Maryellen Neu and her husband Dan. Adoring Papa to his “four blessings”: Madison, Maesyn, Matthew and Jackson. He is predeceased by his parents Robert and Marie (nee: Rousseau). Jack cherished his large extended family and friends.
The family will receive their friends on Sunday 2:00 – 6:00 PM at the Frank A. Patti and Kenneth Mikatarian Funeral Home 327 Main Street “opposite the Fort Lee Library”. All are asked to assemble Monday at 10 AM in Wood Park, Leonia for funeral honors and services. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to honor Jack with donations to one of the following: Leonia Volunteer Fire Dept, Co. No. 1, P.O. Box 83, Leonia NJ 07605; Leonia PBA 381, P.O. Box 381, Leonia NJ 07605; or, the Presbyterian Church in Leonia, P.O. Box 448, Leonia NJ 07605. For condolences, directions, or information (201) 944-0100 or visit www.frankpatti.com.
Services
Visitation at Funeral Home: July 19, 2020 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Frank A. Patti & Kenneth Mikatarian Funeral Home
327 Main Street
Fort Lee, NJ 07024
Final Resting Place: July 20, 2020 12:00 pm
George Washington Memorial Park.
Paramus & Century Roads
Paramus, NJ 07653-0021
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You will be missed Jack. But as someone said to me earlier today it's not how you may have gone but who will be there when you arrive which might make it seem a little easier. Family, that's who will be there to greet you with open arms. RIP peace Jack. You were many things to me. Ha Ha. A boyfriend when I was knee high, into a brother, but always very important. Whenever I saw you around town, I always had a glint in my eye that someone like you, a special part of my family and that had been a part of my life. Will love you always. Continue to watch over Karen, Maryellen, Kristin, Dan, Chris and the grandchildren. They are all by far your biggest gift on earth. Your life will be celebrated.
Jack was a class act and a true gentleman. Jack and Karen over the forty plus years I have known them are a couple that I have always admired for the love and respect they have for each other, their family and EVERYONE they meet. Years ago, I got stranded in Savannah, GA on business due to a huge snowstorm in Jersey. It was the day before St. Patrick's and I was bummed I had to sit it out in a hotel room. The next day the hotel clerk told me to head downtown the to one of the biggest St. Paddy parades in America. Within a minute of jumping out of the cab I saw Jack passing by playing the Bagpipes with the BC Drum and Pipe band. To me it was like a miracle seeing his big smiling face! We spent the entire day celebrating by the River after the parade and had the best time ever. Jack and Karen came often to Thursday night concerts in Edgewater and it was great to see them everytime! Farewell my friend…you are a great man …your passing is so painful. GodSpeed Jack!
Michael H.
Jack was always a kind and caring person. I have known Jack long before my joining the EFD, 41 years ago. Jack will be missed by all the members of the EBMA and those respective Departments. He was always a good friend. Godspeed Jack! Deepest Sympathies to Karen and all of Jack’s Family. I will see you at the next “Big One”, my friend. You have answered your “Final Call”.
So sorry for your loss. Jack was a true servant to his community and friends.
Our deepest condolences from Russell Unsworth Ernst and Robert Ernst. We will always remember Jack as one of the kindest souls we ever met.
Jack was old school. He looked out for everyone and if you were connected to Leonia you were automatically connected to Jack. He was the lifeguard and Leonia was the pool… #RIPJack❤️
my condolences to the peters family.jack was a great person and i was fortunate enough to have many good times and laughs with him at fire dept.functions over the years.he was a true servant to his community and will be deeply missed.r.i.p. brother.
jason pallotta ppfd.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Jack. We only met him a few times in the Borough of Closter. He made an impression because he was sincere, knowledgeable, fair and honest. We always enjoyed hearing about his beautiful grandchildren whom he treasured immensely. There would be a sudden gleam in his eyes when that subject came up. Jack was a wonderful person whose dedication to the community was obvious. A real loss.
Gene & Nada Camali
Sending my deepest sympathy to Karen and the rest of Jack’s family. I knew Jack from when he was a boy and always enjoyed bumping in to him on my visits back to Leonia.
May you Rest In Peace.
Cynthia Williams Nagelschmidt
We are both deeply saddened by the passing of our friend Jack.
He was such a presence in Leonia that the town will not be the same without him.
We have lost a true hero.
God bless his memory, his wife Karen and his family.
We are truly and sincerely sorry for your loss.
Debbie and Sal Mantione
Impulsive behavior is a 2 way street. It can lead to mistakes but it can also save lives as it does when a fireman runs into the fire while others are running out. Lives are saved when a good man follows his instincts. I am in the diamond business in NYC, a business I enjoy but because of the value of diamonds it comes with security headaches. While Jack was with Leonia PD my family had a big security problem. Stalkers had followed me home from NY and were watching my home hoping to gain entry and create a hostage situation. Jack and others on the PD knew what was happening and were keeping an eye on the house. While Jack was watching one eve. he saw a van with NY plates pull into the driveway. A young girl got out of the van w a bouquet of flowers and approached the front door hoping to gain entry. Jack could have called for backup but minutes would have given the woman entry. He followed his instincts and ran across the street and asked the woman to get down off of the step. At the same time the van door opened and a man got out. He had a gun in hand and duct tape in his pocket. The Bouquet of flowers also had a loaded gun inside it. Jack apprehended these 2 criminals who had every intention to kill or abduct my family. My family are safe because a good man followed good impulses. These are the impulses of heroes. When a good man follows his instincts lives are saved. Thank You Jack Peters. Thank You heroic people. Helen & Dennis Dalton.
Richard Palka
Commander
American Legion Post #1
Leonia