John Richard “Rich” Sherman, 74, passed away suddenly March 17, 2022, with his loving wife and children by his side.
He was born May 9, 1947, and lived in Little Silver for 66 years. He graduated from Red Bank High School in 1965 and from Trenton State College
in 1969.
Rich was a dedicated educator for 34 years in Hazlet Township. He served as a teacher, athletic director at Raritan High School, and principal of the Union Avenue Middle School for 13 years until his retirement in 2003.
Rich was a devoted coach. He coached men’s and women’s gymnastics at Raritan High School for 20 years. He coached basketball at Raritan High School, Middletown North High School, Shore Regional High School, and most recently at Ranney School.
He earned New Jersey Coach of the Year honors for gymnastics in 1989. He also earned Monmouth County Basketball Coach of the Year in 2007 while at Shore Regional High School. He also served as a long-time member of the Raritan High School Hall of Fame Committee.
Rich was an avid golfer and participated in the former Sun Eagles Men’s Golf League and the Jensen Beach (Florida) Men’s Golf League.
Rich was predeceased by his parents, John and Helen Sherman. He is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, Iris (Toccaceli) Sherman; his sister Lois Sherman; his daughter Christine and son-in-law Bill Nagy; his daughter Pamela and son-in-law Gavin Walters; and adored grandchildren Billy and Kyle Nagy and Olivia and Jack Walters.
Rich enjoyed traveling, watching the Jets on Sundays, supporting his grandchildren on the sidelines, loving and mentoring young people and, above all else, spending time with Iris and the family.
The viewing was March 20 at John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank. The funeral ceremony was March 21 at the funeral home with entombment to follow at The Woodbine Mausoleum, Oceanport.
The article originally appeared in the March 24 – 30, 2022 print edition of The Two River Times.
