John W Noonan

Taps were blown for John William Noonan, Sr. of Scotch Plains on Monday, January 27, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. A native of Elizabeth, NJ, John was born on June 25, 1940. He attended St. Patrick’s Grammer School and High School. It was at high school that he met his sweetheart, Mary E. McCormack. They married on May 23rd, 1964, and had three children, John William Noonan, Jr. (Areej Nitowski), Mary E. Noonan-Hochman (Kenneth Hochman), and Patrick J. Noonan (Lynda Cecere). 

John started work at ESSO in the oil fields. In 1960, he enlisted in the Army, and served proudly from 1960 – 1962 in the Headquarters Company, of the 78th Combat Engineering Battalion in Karsruhe, Germany for 18 months. John frequently shared stories of his time in the military with his loved ones.

John was a businessman and spent a large part of his career working for the international company, Huega Tile. During this career, John traveled extensively and made many friends. John could talk to anyone and enjoyed starting conversations. His warm smile and sense of humor were a winning combination.

In his free time, John would break out his canvas and oils and paint a variety of pictures. He created well-loved pieces of art, that still hang on many of the walls of his children’s homes. John fulfilled a dream from his younger years and became a private pilot. We can recall many evenings where he could be found at the kitchen table diligently scouring through flight maps and FAA guidelines. His dream fulfilled, a few of his children enjoyed the “smoothest” landing ever recorded at Somerset Airport. 

He enjoyed playing the ponies and a good game of cards. His sons recall many evenings lying at the end of his bed, with the TV in the background, where he taught his son’s how to play. Like a riverboat dealer, Lucky Strike hanging on his lip, he taught his boys an important life lesson. Don’t gamble with money you are not willing to lose. Several bags of hard-earnedpennies were lost!

John was a member of St. Bartholomew Church in Scotch Plains and was strong in his faith.

John is predeceased by his parents, John J. Noonan and Assunta Delasey, and his sister, Margaret (Jackie) Leonard. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Mary, his three children, seven grandchildren: John W. Noonan, III, Elizabeth M. Noonan, Joseph M. Noonan, William J. Hochman, Allison M. Hochman, Katherine R. Hochman, and Brian P. Noonan, his sister, Rose Moy of Linden, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Donations in John’s name can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.