In Memoriam: Lifetime Fair Havenite and Life Fire Company Member, John ‘Smokey’ Felsmann

Lifetime Fair Havenite and life Fair Haven Fire Company member, John P. “Smokey” Felsmann, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Aug. 5.

John was proud to serve his community in the fire company for 59 years, having joined in 1963, serving as Sergeant at Arms for 40 years, in its Fire Police and Water Rescue Team and as chief in 1973.

He graduated from Red Bank Catholic in 1960 and served in the U.s. Coast Guard from 1963 to 1968. In 1965, John married Trudy Boehme, of Little Silver, and the couple raised their three children in Fair Haven. He retired from his position with the Red Bank Post Office in 1997.

“John had a deep love for the Navesink River and spent his life boating, fishing and crabbing. After his retirement, John and Trudy became avid travelers having taken 41 cruises together to ports all around the world. John had a great love for music and enjoyed playing the mandolin, guitar, accordion and wash tub base at many backyard parties at his home over the years. He passed on his love of music to his grandchildren by gifting each of them a ukulele on their fifth birthdays. John served as the Treasurer of the Bluegrass & Old Time Music Association for 17 years.”
Family of John “Smokey” Felsmann in his obituary

John was predeceased by his parents Benny & Millie Felsmann and his sister Valerie Moran.

He is survived by: Trudy, his wife of 57 years; his children, Paula Mulvihill (husband Jack), Monica Felsmann, and John W. Felsmann (wife Liz); his five beloved grandchildren, Zack, Kirstin, Katie, Anna and Vivian, who brought endless joy into his life.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, Aug. 10, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank. A mass of christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday, Aug. 11, at 10 a.m. at the Church of the Nativity, Fair Haven. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in John’s memory to the Fair Haven Fire Company.