John Walter Zmyslowski Sr.

John Walter Zmyslowski entered into eternal rest peacefully on Friday, March 6, 2026, with his loving family by his side. 

Born in Jersey City, John moved to Bayonne at the age of three and remained a lifelong resident. He attended Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Elementary School and later graduated from Marist High School. In 1978, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Rutgers University.

John proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1966 to 1968. After completing basic training at Fort Dix, he was assigned to the 1st Aviation, 361 Transportation Detachment at Fort Benning, Georgia. He later served in Can Tho, Vietnam as Communications and Electronics Section Chief for CH 47 helicopters. His military service remained one of the great sources of pride throughout his life.

In 1969, John married his high school sweetheart, Jane (Kobylinski) Zmyslowski. Together, they built a beautiful life, proudly raising their family and creating a home filled with love, devotion, and lasting memories.

Following his time in the Army, John began a professional career that included positions with Bendix Aviation and later Asahi Glass Fluoropolymers (formerly ICI Americas), where he worked as a warehouse manager until his retirement in 2002.

John became deeply involved in supporting those who served. For more than thirty years, he was an active member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, North Jersey Chapter 151, serving in numerous leadership roles, including secretary, vice president, treasurer, newsletter editor, dance committee chairman, scholarship chairman, and house chairman. Through his efforts, he secured Community Development Block Grant funding to provide handicapped accessibility and structural improvements to create the chapter’s headquarters, which they previously shared with the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 5 in Bergen Point.

John dedicated many years to Bayonne’s Memorial Day traditions. Beginning in 1988, he volunteered with the Bayonne Memorial Day Parade Committee and later served as trustee of the Veterans Relief Fund and treasurer of the Memorial Day Committee. In 1994, he served as parade chairman, and in 2004, he was honored as Grand Marshal. For more than twenty-five years, he played a key role in organizing the Bayonne Memorial Day Parade, helping ensure that the sacrifices of America’s fallen heroes would always be remembered.

His commitment to veterans and the community was widely recognized. In 2005 the Bayonne Detachment of the Marine Corps League presented him with the Lcpl. Stanley John Kopcinski Award for outstanding service in preserving the memory of those who gave their lives for our country while assisting veterans across all branches of the armed forces. In 2007 he received the Humanitarian Award from the American Conference on Diversity. In 2013 he was elected Commander of American Legion F.A. Mackenzie Post 165. He was also a member of Catholic War Veterans Post 1612, trustee of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7470, a member of Bayonne Elks Lodge 434, and Mt. Carmel Lyceum. Along with the late Tom Grodkiewicz of Chapter 151, John helped design and arrange the installation of a monument honoring living Bayonne veterans at the 25th Street entrance to Veterans Stadium.

As a young boy growing up in Bayonne, John enjoyed exploring the neighborhood with his friends, often riding his bike through town and spending time crabbing along the waterfront. He also enjoyed bowling and visiting Uncle Milty’s and other amusement parks with his family. From an early age, he developed a strong interest in cars and as a teenager began working on and modifying them. That interest later led him to help organize a car club known as “The Hunters,” and in later years he helped form another classic car club, the Liberty Classic Car Club. John's additional favorite pastimes included music especially the sounds of doo wop and old country favorites. He was also an avid participant in competitive shooting leagues, an activity he greatly enjoyed for many years.

In 2004, John received a heart transplant that allowed him to continue enjoying time with his family and remain active in the causes that meant so much to him. He faced that challenge with remarkable strength, determination, and gratitude, approaching life afterward with the same resilience and positive spirit that defined his character.

Nothing meant more to John than his family. Some of his most meaningful moments were spent at the Zmyslowski summer home in Bayville, where being together gave him a deep sense of peace and contentment. His grandchildren were a constant source of joy in his life. He found great fulfillment in watching them grow, celebrating their accomplishments, and attending their sports and dance competitions, always showing his support and enthusiasm.

John will be remembered as a man of integrity, honor and unwavering patriotism. Through his dedication to veterans, his devotion to his family, and his commitment to helping others, he made a lasting impact on the lives of many. His legacy stands as a true reflection of a life well lived.

John was predeceased by his dearly beloved wife of 55 years, Jane, his parents, John and Victoria (Wronski) Zmyslowski, and his sister, Dolores Macko, with whom he shared a close and special bond.  Left to cherish his memory is his daughter Karen Sugrue (Robert); son John Zmyslowski Jr., (Christina); two granddaughters Emma and Julia Sugrue, and his son-in-law's family, Rosemary Sugrue (wife of the late Robert) and Joan Milasunas. 

Visiting hours will be held at the Dworzanski & Son Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. A Funeral Mass will be offered on Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 10:30am at St. John Paul II Parish (Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church), 39 East 22nd Street, Bayonne, NJ. Interment with military honors will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington, NJ.

In Loving Memory of 

John W. Zmyslowski

Afterglow

I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one.

I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.

I’d like to leave an echo whispering Softly down the ways.

Of happy times and laughing times and bright sunny days.

I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun

Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.

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