John J Olkowski , 87 of North Hanover, New Jersey passed away peacefully in his home March 12, 2026 surrounded by family. John was born in Przasnysz Poland in April of 1938. He immigrated to the United States in 1945 with his father and two other siblings,the rest of his family would follow later on. He was the son of Jan and Weronika Olkowski. John graduated from Plainfield High School and then went on to obtain an Associates Degree in Applied Science at Somerset County College. John was a firm believer in education and often voiced this belief to his children and grandchildren. John enlisted in the US Army in 1960 and honorably served as a radio repairman for two years. He left active duty life and enlisted in the US Army Reserve component where he served for 20 more years until his retirement. John was adept in the electronics field and earned a certified Television Service repairman. I watched my father in our basement as a young boy repair televisions for our neighbors and learned fundamental electronics. John worked for various companies over the years as a salesperson and Real Estate agent, achieving his Broker's License, but he found professional success with the federal government, working at Fort Monmouth within the procurement division. After 26 long years, he decided to retire and pursue his love for travel. John loved to fly space A, and he traveled frequently. He was very outgoing and accumulated many friends on his travels. He became quite the expert at booking flights and even ran the Space A desk at the Military Airlift Command (MAC) terminal on McGuire Air Force base. When he wasn't working out at the gym, traveling the world or volunteering on base and the board of elections, or playing cards with the North Hanover Senior Citizens, you could find him playing with his grandchildren as if he was a big child himself. He loved the ocean and spent much time walking the boardwalk in Seaside Heights. He loved to volunteer. It kept him active, and he met many people who would soon call him friend. He would be the first one at the terminal in the morning, making a pot of coffee and chatting up the Airmen working the desk. The people who worked at the USO were dear to him. He enjoyed their company immensely. His daily routine on base included the gym and the terminal which kept him going, and he looked forward to it everyday. John leaves behind his son, Michael and his wife Kim and their three boys Jacob, Jason and Jedrek; and his daughter, Tracey, her husband Alan and their two children Liliana and Dominic. He was predeceased by his daughter, Kimberly. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Thursday, March 19, 2026 from 3:00pm until 6:00pm at Tilghman Funeral Home 52 Main Street New Egypt, NJ 08533. A funeral service will begin at 5:30pm on Thursday. Burial will follow in Our Lady of Czestochowa Cemetery, Doylestown, PA on Friday March 20, 2026 at 11:00am.