Obituaries

John H. DeJesus

John H. DeJesus departed this life Jan. 28, 2014, at his home in Cutchogue. He was 90.

He was born Feb. 8, 1923, in Greenport to Florentino and Frances DeJesus. As a young boy, he attended Cutchogue Grammar School and Southold Junior-Senior High School, where he was noted for his outstanding participation in many sports, including baseball, basketball and track. He went on to graduate from Greenport High School in 1942.

On Sept. 12, 1944, John entered the U.S. Navy, where he served our beautiful country as an aviation machinist mate third class. Following his honorable discharge on April 7, 1946, he then moved to — where else? — the Bronx, New York, where he became an officer for the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority. He served there for 33 years and retired in November 1985.

After retiring, he came back home to Long Island to his longtime love, Beatrice Pace. He married his “Honey Bea” August 24, 1985. They traveled to many places around the world and he would have given her the world if it only had a price.

John’s legacy will live on in the hearts of his wife, Beatrice; his sister, Miriam Gloria Harris of Hempstead; his three beautiful nieces, Karen Butterfield of California and Lorraine DeJesus and Carol Grant, both of Jamaica, Queens; his brothers-in-law, Alvin Pace, Roy Pace, Terry Pace and Gary Pace; his sisters-in-law, Joan Davis and Lorraine Mason; and numerous relatives and friends.

“John was always available to anyone who needed him and will be sorely missed by all of us,” family members said.

Homegoing services were held Feb. 1 at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck, the Rev. Marvin Dozier officiating. Interment with U.S. Navy honors took place at Cutchogue Cemetery.

This is a paid notice.