John Joseph Spence, Jr., age 75, of Haddonfield and Avalon passed away on Jan. 14.
John Joseph Spence, Jr., age 75, of Haddonfield and Avalon passed away on Jan. 14; beloved husband of Jane B. (nee Connelly) and the late Dona G. (nee Florich); loving father of John J., III (Olivia) of Wayland, MA, Brad P. (Kimberly) of Haddonfield and Pauline Swiatocha (Bryan) of Sea Girt, NJ; devoted Pop-Pop to Cole, Grady, Paige, Leela, Genevieve, Ty, Fiona and Jack and Dear brother of Michael (Donna) of Runnemede, NJ and Patricia Amitrano (Steve) of Westmont, NJ.
John was a true Irishman known for his story-telling ability who besides having a love of black cherries and pistachios, reading the morning obituaries or “Irish funny papers,” the Phillies and Eagles, and Joe Cocker, had an incredible love for his family. His legacy will be many things to many people especially his belief in fairness, diligent work and a strong sense of humor.
Although John was enrolled at Gloucester Catholic HS (Class ’61) on a Baseball Scholarship, the Basketball coach appropriated him for all four years for the Varsity Basketball Team. He also played HS baseball and was a member of the Brooklawn American Legion National Finalist Team in 1960. John attended LaSalle University on a baseball scholarship (Class ’65) and then went on to obtain his final degree from Rutgers Law School in Camden, NJ. John was a practicing attorney, the Municipal Court Judge in Haddonfield for over 30 years and appointed by Governor Corzine as an Administrative Law Judge for the state of New Jersey. Additionally, he coached Haddonfield Little League, Basketball at Christ the King School, and was a longtime member of Stone Harbor Yacht Club and Tavistock Country Club.
John’s family will receive friends on Wednesday Evening, Jan. 17, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Kain-Murphy Funeral Services, 15 West End Ave. All are invited to his Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, Jan. 18, 11 a.m., at Christ the King R.C. Church, 200 Windsor Ave., Haddonfield, NJ. Interment is at New St. Mary’s Cem., Bellmawr, NJ.
