Obituary of Prof. John D. Sweeney

Professor John D. Sweeney of Livingston, formerly of South Orange for many years, died on Wedneday, September 10, 2014 at Inglemoor Nursing Home, Livingston. He was 83 years old. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Sorrow Church, 217 Prospect Ave., South Orange on Sat, Sept 13th at 10:30 AM. Interment Private. Visitation will be held at the Preston Funeral Home, 153 South Orange Ave., South Orange on Friday, 4:00 – 8:00 PM.. For more information please visit prestonfuneralhome.net For half a century John Sweeney was a much loved figure at Seton Hall University. Appointed a professor of English at Seton Hall in 1958, John remained a member of the faculty until his retirement in 2009, teaching a variety of courses in the English Department and for the Honors Program, tutoring in Latin and Greek, and acting in student theatre productions. John received his undergraduate degree from Georgetown Univeristy and his Masters degree at Columbia University. He was awarded the National Endowment for the Humanities fellowships at Princeton University and SUNY Stony Brook. In 2004, Seton Hall bestowed on him its highest award, the Bishop Bernard J. McQuaid medal for Distinguished Service. In addition to his considerable scholarly achievements at the university he loved so well, John was a fine and knowledgeable musician. He was a 30 year member of the Union Municipal Band, the Westfield Band, the Montclair Band , the American Steel and Weldry Band, and participated in the "Merry Tuba Christmas" at Rockefeller Center for many years. Musically, John most cherished being a member of the Essex Shillelagh Pipes and Drums which he joined in 1971. For 10 years he was the band's drum major. He was instrumental in the completion of the sheet music for the "Armed Forces Set" which is used by the Shillelagh's and numerous other pipe bands to this day. In life John loved above everything else being a father to his sons Gregory and Matthew and he inspired them to follow their musical dreams. John David Sweeney left a mark at Seton Hall, and well beyond it, that few will match and none forget. And he was a piper always. He is survived by his loving sons Gregory and Matthew Sweeney and his brothers William and Joseph Sweeney. The family requests to please omit flowers and instead make a donation to a charity of your choice in John's name.