Obituary of John Robert Iantosca, Sr.

John Robert Iantosca Sr., 76, of Florham Park, N.J., died on Sunday, June 3, 2012, in Morristown Medical Center, Morristown, N.J . Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 217 Prospect St., South Orange, N.J., on Friday, June 8, at 9:30 a.m. Interment is at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover, N.J. Visitation will be held at Preston Funeral Home, 153 South Orange Ave., South Orange, on Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m., and Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. For more information or to send condolences, please visit prestonfuneralhome.net. Born in South Orange, John lived there for 65 years before moving to Florham Park, 11 years ago. He was a graduate of Columbia High School, class of 1954, where he excelled as a 4-year starter on the football team. John was the owner and operator of South Orange Construction since 1952. He was a baseball coach for 38 years for the South Orange Little League, the American Legion, and the Essex County League. John cherished his daily visits by his grandchildren at his home, especially during the holidays, as well as spending time at his shore home on Chadwick Beach Island. He was a member of the Holy Name Society of Our Lady of Sorrows, and an honorary member of the American Legion. John was named the South Orange Lions Club Man of the Year in 2005. He was also named the South Orange Villager of the Month by the Town Trustees for his lifelong dedication and volunteerism to the South Orange community. John was a past member of the Builders Association. He had a positive impact and touched the lives of many. John was the beloved husband of Eileen Iantosca (nee Edson); devoted father of John R. Iantosca Jr., Deborah Echo, David Iantosca and his wife, Meg, Mark Iantosca and his wife, Lisa, Paul Iantosca and his wife, Wendy, and James Iantosca and his wife, Susanne; dear brother of Angelo Iantosca Jr., Marie Graessle, the late Ralph, Thomas, and Rocco Iantosca, and Lucille Gartner; loving grandfather of John III, Robert, Nicole, Daniel, Anthony, Michelle, David Jr., Scott, Kyle, Mark Jr., Kaitlynn, Andrew, Dylan, Jamie, Matthew, Jennifer, Amanda, Jake, Nicholas, and Kelly, and dear great-grandfather of Isabella. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, Tenn. 38105-1905, would be appreciated.