John Gerard Landwersiek, 69, was born Aug. 19, 1952 to Joseph E. and Catherine (nee Di Martini) Landwersiek in Yonkers, NY. After his childhood in the Bronx the family moved to Manalapan, in the early 60s until he settled in Clifton.

John was a graduate of Divine Word Seminary High School, Bordentown. Following school he worked at Grand Union and its successor Stop & Shop as a produce manager for nearly 35 years.

A lover of the great outdoors, John loved camping, especially in the winter with his lifelong friend Lou Miller. Hiking, landscaping and gardening, his boat and canoe got frequent use, he enjoyed any outside activity. NASCAR, working on his Trans Am and bowling rounded out the man who relished working with his hands.

John became ill in 2010 and required a bilateral lung transplant in 2011. Over the next 10 and a half years he managed to find other meaningful activities as his physical capabilities changed. At first he spoke to others who were candidates for lung transplants, trying to prepare them for the challenges ahead. This expanded to visits encouraging them and answering concerns after surgery. Soon he found himself at the County College speaking to students in the Respiratory Therapy program. He hoped to make them understand the patient's point of view. He was grateful for his second chance at life and he wanted others to have the same opportunity.

Throughout his life he smiled, joked and made friends, he never lost his sense of humor and was always willing to help anyone in need. But he will be remembered most for his determination to live life to the fullest with appreciation for each new day regardless and in spite of his limitations.

John was predeceased by his parents and his sister Barbara Landwersiek. He is survived by his lifelong companion Teresa Sattelberger, his sister Virginia (Ginny) Treacy and her husband Brian, sister Catherine Anson and her husband Reg, brother Joseph Landwersiek, his nieces and nephews Barbara Treacy, Kate Reynolds, Regina Anson, William Anson and his great nieces Kaitlin Anson, Kylie Reynolds and Megan Anson.

Visiting Thursday 4 – 8 PM at the Shook Funeral Home, 639 Van Houten Ave., Clifton. Cremation private.

In lieu of flowers, donations made to the American Lung Association, www.Lung.org , in John's memory would be greatly appreciated. Please remember to sign your donor card.