John T. Bruns, 89, formerly of Shrewsbury, passed away Dec. 12, 2025, in Columbia, Maryland. Born in Elizabeth and raised in Colonial Terrace, Ocean Township, John lived in Shrewsbury for 55 years before briefly residing in Tinton Falls and Columbia.
He was predeceased by his wife of 40 years, Dale Sohl Bruns, in 2003, and by his parents, William and Frances Bruns. He is survived by his daughter, Tracey Geary of Columbia, Maryland; his son and daughter-in-law, Christopher and Sarah Bruns of Saline, Michigan; and his grandsons, Ryan Geary of Brooklyn, New York, and Kyle Geary of Columbia, Maryland. He is also survived by his companion of many years, Cleonice (Lee) Hausser of Somerset, and his son-in-law, Thomas Geary of West Long Branch.
John was a graduate of St. Rose Grammar School and Middlesex County Vocational Technical High School in Perth Amboy and served in the United States Navy Reserve. He was an aviation electronics technician. He retired from Army Avionics Research and Development Activity (AVRADA) at Fort Monmouth in 2004 after over 20 years of service. AVRADA focused on integrating advanced electronics, navigation and cockpit systems for Army aviation, working closely with CECOM. John previously worked at Naval Air Station Lakehurst, now part of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.
Flying was John’s passion and he earned a small plane pilot’s license in 1956. He enjoyed sports and was a longtime fan of the New York Rangers and the Mets. He was an avid volunteer and remained active with the Boy Scouts/Scouting America for most of his life. As a youth, he earned the rank of Life Scout and served as the 1954 Lodge Chief for the Monmouth Council Order of the Arrow. As an adult, John volunteered for nearly 50 years. He was active with the Shrewsbury Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts in the 1970s and 1980s. Later, he was instrumental in advancing Eagle Scouts in the Twin Lights District of the Monmouth Council. He was a Vigil member of the Order of the Arrow and loved to spend time at Forestburg Scout Reservation.
In 2025, John stepped down as the Monmouth Council Advancement Committee chair after 10 years of service. He received the Silver Beaver award in 2019. In addition to Scouting, he amassed hundreds of hours as a volunteer on the 3 East floor at Riverview Medical Center between 2004 and 2020.
Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8 at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St., Red Bank, NJ 07701. Interment will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 9 at St. Gertrude’s Cemetery in Colonia.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in John’s name to the Friends of Scouting, Monmouth Council of Scouting America, 705 Ginesi Drive, Morganville, NJ 07751 or at monmouthcouncilscouting.org.
The article originally appeared in the January 1 – 7, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
