John Vatasin, 87 of Passaic, passed away on May 11, 2012. Born June 18, 1924, he was a lifelong resident of Passaic. A parishioner of Ss. Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Passaic, John was a member of the Orthodox Square Club, and was a 60 year member of the Lessing-Passaic Lodge # 67 F & AM. A graduate of Passaic High School, John then served 4 years in the US Navy in the Pacific during World War II, during which he navigated the USS Intrepid from Hawaii to California following its torpedo hit in February, 1944 in Micronesia. He then served in the Naval Reserve for 36 years and retired as a Senior Chief Petty Officer in 1984, and is a member of the National Naval Enlisted Reserve Association. After WWII ended, he was a Passaic Police Officer for 16 years and rose to the rank of Sergeant, he then worked as County Supervisor for the Passaic County Department of Weights and Measures where he worked for 29 years, until his retirement in 1989. An avid traveler, he traveled the United States with his family, friends and trailer, and also traveled to Europe several times with his wife following his retirement. Beloved husband for 58 years of Evelyn (Gillman). Devoted father of John T. and his wife Mary of Clifton, and Glenn and his partner Bernie Bernbrock of Glen Ridge. Loving grandfather of John T. Jr., Stephen, Elena and Abigail. Dear brother of the late Mary Mahonchak and the late Michael. Funeral Wednesday 9 AM at the Shook Funeral Home, 639 Van Houten Ave., Clifton, and 10 AM at Ss. Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Passaic. Interment, Ss. Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Cemetery, Saddle Brook. Visiting Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the funeral home, with Panikhida at 7:30 PM. www.ShookFH.com