Obituary of John S. Helewa

John S.  Helewa, 83, of Newark, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on April 29, 2019.  A lifelong resident of Newark and proud alumnus of Seton Hall Preparatory School, John received his undergraduate degree at Seton Hall University, a Master’s Degree in French from Seton Hall University, and a Master’s degree in Philosophy from St. John’s University.  John continued his passion for Philosophy as an adjunct professor at Seton Hall University, teaching courses in Logic and Ethics from the 1960s through the 1980s.  He was the former owner of Stadium Body Works in Newark, a family business started in 1950 by his father, Simon N. Helewa.   He operated the business as its owner from 1960 until retiring in 1990.   A known connoisseur of jokes, including bad ones, John delighted in sharing his humor with family and friends.  

John was a proud and devoted father of seven, grandfather of seventeen, and great-grandfather of two.  He was predeceased by his father and his mother Martha (Matta) and his sister Mary.  He is survived by his beloved wife, Ann  Protomastro Helewa; loving children Yvette McBain (Ronald), John (Wasana), Dennis,  Renee  Gayder (Daniel), Juliane  Brown (Christopher), Kevin  (Kathleen) and Sandra (John); siblings Mona Zipeto (Joseph) and George Helewa (Geraldine); and his 17 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

The family will be receiving friends at the Preston Funeral Home, 153 South Orange Avenue, South Orange on Friday, May 3 from 4—8pm, followed by a prayer service at 8pm.  Entombment will be at Holy Cross Chapel Mausoleum Exstension (rear entrance), 340 Ridge Road, North Arlington, on Saturday, May 4, at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, 31 Evans Terminal, Hillside, NJ 07205 (cfbnj.org) would be deeply appreciated. 

For more information or to send condolences, please visit prestonfuneralhome.net.