John Thomas Jennings, age 59, of Red Bank, passed away peacefully June 9, 2024. John was born July 18, 1964, in the Bronx, New York, the son of Mary B. Jennings (née O’Connell) and Jackie Jennings. John took great pride in being from New York City and in his Irish heritage. When he was a teenager, the family moved to Red Bank. John graduated from Red Bank Regional High School in 1982. After graduation, he pursued his love of learning at Brookdale Community College and the NY School of Visual Arts.
In 1986, John was involved in a tragic accident that left him paralyzed. Despite this, he continued to embrace life, living independently, traveling and participating in Breckenridge’s handicap ski program. John was a passionate and devoted fan of the New York Giants, the Rangers and the Yankees.
In 2005, he was invested as a Knight in the Order of Malta, American Association, at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City and participated in multiple pilgrimages to Lourdes, France. He also dedicated his time to volunteering at The Center in Asbury Park and raising funds for the House of Friendship orphanage in Honduras and the Sisters of Saint Dominic in Blauvelt, New York.
John lived every day in gratitude for the blessings bestowed upon him despite his circumstances and touched countless lives.
He is survived by his beloved mother Mary B. Jennings of Red Bank, his sister Bridget Davis (Peter) of Red Bank, and his brother Matthew (Noelle Daigneault) of Raleigh, North Carolina.
Visitation was held June 13 at Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank. A Mass of Christian Burial was held June 14 at Church of the Nativity, Fair Haven. Burial followed at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Middletown.
Donations in John’s memory can be made to The Center in Asbury Park, 806 Third Ave., Asbury Park, NJ 07712 or online at thecenterinap.org/donate.
The article originally appeared in the June 20 – 26, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
