John Martin Prebula, aged 78 passed away peacefully in Edison, NJ on March 24, 2024 with his nieces Carol and Holly holding his hands.
John was born on May 26, 1945 to John and Mary (Yesalavich) Prebula in Newark, NJ. He attended Kearny High School and was inducted into the United States Army in 1965. He served one tour of duty in Vietnam and was a proud United States Veteran. John was employed by the United States Postal Service for 25 years prior to his retirement. He was also a scoutmaster at St. Cecilia’s Parish in Kearny for over 20 years.
John was a man who enjoyed the simple in life. He loved fishing in the Thousand Islands and at the Jersey Shore with his friends. He loved relaxing on his sister’s porch in Maine, and he loved to garden and loved to share the fruits of his labors with his family and neighbors. John was never one to turn down a meal.
John was also, from a very young age, a very kind and gentle person, devoted to his family. He is remembered as a loving caregiver for his mother and his aunt and uncle during the later stages of their lives. John spent countless hours selflessly tending to the needs of anyone who needed help and he never asked for anything in return.
John is survived by his sister Joan, his brother-in-law, Alex, and his nieces Carol Ann and Holly. He was deeply beloved and there will forever be a hole in our hearts. The family thanks the Menlo Park Veterans Memorial Home in Edison for their care during the later stages of John’s life.
To honor John’s life, memorial contributions may be made to St. Stephen’s Boy Scout Troop 305, 141 Washington Ave. Kearny, NJ 07032, or for the Traveling Vietnam Wall, Care of and payable to VFW Post 133, 485 Cranbury Rd. East Brunswick, NJ 08816.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial mass for John at Our Lady of Czestochowa Church in Harrison on Saturday April 20 at 10am.