973-762-2200 (The Jacob A. Holle Funeral Home) | 973-762-1133 (Preston Funeral Home)
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Visitation at Church
Funeral Mass
Obituary of John A. Matthews III
The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed on Thursday, March 4th at 10:30 AM. Please click on the link below:
John “Jack” Alphonsus Matthews III
Jack Matthews of South Orange, NJ, passed away peacefully at Hackensack Meridian Hospital on Friday, February 26, 2021 with his son John by his side, and on FaceTime with his immediate family. He was 79 years old.
As a lifelong resident of South Orange and West Belmar, Jack is survived by his wife Judith Anne Alexander. The two were neighbors and first Holy Communion partners at Our Lady of Sorrows, and were married for 56 years. Their three children Mariliz Loftus (Joe), John Matthews IV (Tammy), and Susan Apgood (Rick) gave them ten grandchildren John, Patrick, Courtney, Molly, Jack, Logan, Emma, Robert, Matthew, and Ricky.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Peggy Jo (Conlan) and John A. Matthews, Jr., and sisters Patricia and Jane Marie. His is survived by seven siblings Joseph, Edwin, James, Margaret, Thomas, Brian, and Marian.
Jack attended St. Benedict’s Prep, Holy Cross College and Seton Hall Law School while being an investigator at the Essex County Prosecutors office. After graduating law school, he remained as a career Assistant Prosecutor, finishing his career as chief of Organized Crime and Racketeering at the State Attorney General’s office.
Jack spent 25 years as President of South Orange Little League. He bowled for enjoyment and was an officer in the state bowling association resulting in induction into the New Jersey Bowling Hall of Fame in 2017. Dedicated involvement at St. Benedict’s Prep, cheering on his beloved Mets and Jets, playing golf, and being the biggest cheerleader for anything his family participated in were his greatest joys.
Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 217 Prospect Street in South Orange, and live streamed on the funeral home website (prestonfuneralhome.net), on Thursday, March 4th at 10:30 a.m., and visitation will be held beforehand from 9:00 to 10:15 a.m. Please be advised that face coverings are required, and social distancing guidelines will be observed.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Benedict’s Prep in his honor at sbp.org or 520 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd, Newark, NJ 07102-1314.
