John R Holloway

John R. Holloway, decoy carver and legendary curmudgeon passed away peacefully at HMH Southern Ocean Medical Center on the afternoon of April 5th, 2026. He was 90 years old.

A graduate of Temple-Eckels College of Mortuary Science in Philadelphia, John insisted throughout his long life (to those gullible enough to believe him) that he had received the same amount of education as a medical doctor.

He spent a formative boyhood on a farm in Kresson, NJ where he cultivated the interests that would remain with him forever.

At a scandalously young age, John began practicing mortuary science in Atlantic City. According to John, the funeral homes there were neutral zones. Criminals, law enforcement, politicians and morticians alike would gather to drink, gamble and socialize. 

He then established his own business; Holloway Funeral Home in Florence, NJ and was elected County Coroner for several terms.

After selling Holloway Funeral Home he returned to the Barnegat Bay vicinity, where he had enjoyed many adventures as a young man living on a houseboat on the end of Dock Road in West Creek, NJ.

Ditching his suits & ties, he reinvented himself as a clam digger (both treading and raking) and a working bayman dredging for crabs or hiring out his Chesapeake Bay skiff.

John Holloway was a celebrated decoy carver & folk artist whose work can be found in museum and private collections, often appearing in auction houses today.

He was strongly affiliated with the annual Old Time Barnegat Bay Decoy & Gunning Show. John was presented the NJ Cultural Heritage Hurley Conklin Award in 2010, the 2016 New Jersey Decoy Collectors Hall of Fame Award and more recently the 2025 Michael T. Mangum Hall of Fame Award. 

John was an advocate for the show and a near constant presence since its inception. He was rarely seen not wearing the complimentary t-shirts he received for judging (along with his trademark suspenders).

John in partnership with his nephew Jeffrey Holloway built a series of fine replica working & gunning boats based on patterns made by past local craftsman.

He is predeceased by his wife Ruth, for whom he was a loving dedicated caregiver at home during a long bout with Alzheimer’s disease. And his beloved daughter Robin, a nurse at Mass General Hospital in Boston, MA. 

His final companion, a Labrador retriever named Cricket is presumably back riding shotgun now.

He is survived by his son Bret, numerous nieces and nephews, and a stellar community of friends.

John will be remembered as a father, friend, neighbor and ornery cuss to all. 

Exceptionally hard of hearing in his old age, it was thought that John stubbornly did not wear hearing aids because only his own thoughts and point of view needed to be communicated. 

He remained an enthusiastic sporting clay shooter and loved firehouse oyster suppers where he was active on the circuit until recently. 

Whenever he reaches his next destination, we hope there is no waiting room. Because John Holloway does not do waiting rooms.

A gathering of remembrance will be held at The Community Center - Tip Seaman Park in Tuckerton, NJ on Sunday May 3rd, 2026, between 1:30 and 3:30 pm.  

All are welcome. Bring your stories.

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