John T. Zlotnik

ZLOTNIK, JOHN T., 79, of West Creek, N.J., died peacefully at home on Friday, April 1, 2022.  The cause was malignant pleural mesothelioma.  He was born in 1942 to John L. and Mary (Maresca).  John was a life-long resident of New Jersey, except for his 1960-1964 Pacific Tour in the U.S. Navy.  He moved to Ocean County over 50 years ago-when Lacey Twp. still had dirt roads and one traffic light-and lived for many years in Forked River.  One of his passions was scuba diving-he learned how to dive in Pearl Harbor-and for decades ran a charter operation for sports divers in Barnegat Light, on the Sun Pal and Robin II.  That’s where he met his wife Bobbie.  A skilled woodworker, he designed and built beautiful furniture, and his piece de resistance was a wooden sailboat, a Herschoff catspaw dinghy, made from locally sourced Atlantic White Cedar.  John also was an avid trap shooter, and was a member of Groundswipers Rod and Gun Club.  He loved traveling the U.S., and adored his annual trips to St. John USVI.  John is predeceased by his parents and his sister Veronica Harms.  He is survived by wife of almost 32 years Barbara (Bobbie), his son Nick and his partner Nikki Newhart of Mexico, N.Y., his daughter Bonnie of Edgewater FL., grandson Jacob Wenzel of DeLand, FL., and many loving friends, family, nieces and nephews.  Arrangements are being handled by WOOD FUNERAL HOME, 134 EAST MAIN ST., TUCKERTON, N.J.  Interment is private.  If desired, contributions can be made in John’s memory to Friends of Virgin Islands National Park, at www.friendsvinp.org. 

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