John P. “Smokey” Felsmann passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, Aug. 5, 2022. John was a lifelong resident of Fair Haven, a community he was proud to serve for 59 years.
He graduated from Red Bank Catholic in 1960 and served in the Coast Guard from 1963-1968. He retired from his position with the Red Bank Post Office in 1997.
In 1965, John was married to Trudy Boehme of Little Silver and the couple raised their three children in Fair Haven.
John had a deep love for the Navesink River and spent his life boating, fishing and crabbing. After his retirement, John and Trudy became avid travelers, having taken 41 cruises together to ports all around the world.
John had a great love for music and enjoyed playing the mandolin, guitar, accordion and washtub bass at many backyard parties at his home over the years. He passed on his love of music to his grandchildren by gifting each of them a ukulele on their 5th birthdays.
John served as the treasurer of the Bluegrass & Old Time Music Association for 17 years.
John was a Life Member of the the Fair Haven Fire Company. He joined the company in 1963, serving as Sergeant at Arms for 40 years, and Fire Chief in 1973. He was also a longtime member of the company’s fire, police and water rescue team.
John was predeceased by his parents, Benny and Millie Felsmann, and his sister Valerie Moran. He is survived by Trudy, his wife of 57 years, and his children, Paula Mulvihill (husband Jack), Monica Felsmann and John W. Felsmann (wife Liz). John is also survived by his five beloved grandchildren, Zack, Kirstin, Katie, Anna and Vivian, who brought endless joy into his life.
Visitation was Aug. 10 at Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 11 at the Church of the Nativity, 180 Ridge Road in Fair Haven.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in John’s memory to the Fair Haven Fire Company.
The article originally appeared in the August 11 – 17, 2022 print edition of The Two River Times.
