Dan Sharkey peacefully passed away at Riverview Medical Center July 28, 2021. He spent his final days surrounded by loved ones.
Dan was born July 13, 1932, in Bayonne to Irish immigrants. He attended Bayonne High School where he was a member of the swim team and two choral groups. There, he also met the love of his life Margaret.
Upon graduation, he entered and proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps in the Korean War and was one of the “Chosin Few” who survived the Battle at the Chosin Reservoir. There, 20,000 allied troops (17,000 of them U.S. Marines) were attacked by 120,000 Communist Chinese forces between Nov. 26 and Dec. 11, 1950, during sub-zero winter conditions. They successfully escorted 91,000 North Korean refugees to freedom. Dan served as president of the New Jersey Chapter of the Chosin Few and enjoyed the camaraderie and support of his fellow Marines.
He returned from Korea and married Margaret (Zak) Sharkey of Bayonne. They shared 68 years of marriage, blessed with eight children, eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and countless nieces and nephews. When not crooning bits of a love song, most days began with him stating, “There’s a lot of love in this house.” The family settled in Point Pleasant Beach where Dan enjoyed boating and fishing with his family. He cherished time spent at the Jersey Shore with his extended family.
His career was in the oil industry, negotiating the successful arrival and departure of cargo ships affiliated with Amerada Hess and American Ultramar. He retired in the early 1980s.
His retirement was spent reflecting upon and commemorating his military service and helping other veterans secure their entitled benefits. He and Margaret also enjoyed winters in St. Maarten and many fun trips to Atlantic City.
Dan is survived by his wife Margaret Sharkey of Shrewsbury; his children, Margaret DeNucci (Eugene), Daniel Sharkey Jr. (Marie), John Sharkey, Robert Sharkey (Ulla), Kathleen Sharkey-Greco (John), Eileen Stern (Charles), Timothy Sharkey (Kathleen), and Mary Todd (Gerald); his grandchildren, John, Alicia, Erin, Gerald, April, Cristy, Vivian and Daniel; his great-grandchildren, Ronald and Ryland; and two of his beloved relatives, Mary Brusgard and Patricia Ferguson, along with countless nieces and nephews.
He is reunited in heaven with his parents, James and Margaret Sharkey; his brother James Sharkey; sisters, Ceil Hart and Mary Gunsiorowski; and his friend and cousin John Conaghan.
Dan was a generous, caring man who was always ready to lend a hand to friend or stranger. His work ethic and consistent values which include love of family, a tireless commitment to others, courage and a deep love of country will always remain a part of his legacy.
Visitation was Aug. 1 at the John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Aug. 2 at St. James R.C. Church in Red Bank. A military burial at BG Wm. C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery will be scheduled at a later date.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, 909 N. Washington St., Suite 400, Alexandria, VA 22314 or mcsf.org.
Please visit Daniel’s memorial website at johnedayfuneralhome.com.
The article originally appeared in the August 5 – 11, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
