Obituary of John E Washington

John Emerson Washington, Sr., the fifth of six children born to Howard and Julia Washington departed this earthly life quietly during the dawn hours of June 1, 2013. Born on May 10, 1921 he lived his entire 92 years in Palmyra, NJ where he was a well-known resident and very active in the community. He was proud of West Palmyra his neighborhood, his town, the Tri-Boro Area and Burlington County. In 1954 he helped create and was a mentor to a group of young men called the Mohawks Club, and he encouraged many of the area youth to continue their education and explore career opportunities. John was a member of the Palmyra Board of Education and served as President in 1967, a knowledgeable member of th Zoning Ordinances, and very active in the West Palmyra Town Watch. He often held political fundraisers at his home, encouraged other African-Americans in the community to serve and hold public office in Palmyra, and was an original founder of the Palmyra High School Hall of Fame. Mr. Washington was a lifelong member of Mt. Zion African American Episcopal Church in Riverton, NJ where he served as a basketball coach for the church's Boys League. Johnny, as he was called by many, graduated from palmyra High School and took some academic classes in civics at Hampton Institute in Virginia and Temple University in Philadelphia. He served in World War II in the Signal Corps, European Theatre. In September 1947 he married Miss Josephine Helen Grimes of Morristown, a teacher in Mt. Holly and Cinnaminson for over 35 years. To this union was born Karen and John, Jr. (Jay). He delighted in taking family, nieces and nephews on educational sightseeing trips and vacations to Virginia beach, Wildwood, Martha's Vineyard and King George County VA, his wife's birthplace. He and his wife enjoyed taking trips with and socializing with the Old Buddies Club, and other friends and family. John was one of the first to break the color barrier at both the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, Philadelphia as a toll collector and Philadelphia Suburban Water Co., PA where he retired after thirty years as a lab technician. He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Josephine, his parents and brothers and their spouses Victor (Shirley), Howard (Norma), William (Ora Lee). He leaves to mourn his children, Karen Sseruwamikisa and John E. Washington, Jr., grandchildren Sidetuunsa Sseruwamikisa, Amanda and Andrew Washington and their mother Roxanna Washington, his siblings Edna W. Webb and Rev. Dr. Wilbur T. Washington (Marie), brother-in-law Earl Grimes (Dorothy) and special friends. John, Daddy Pop-pop, Johnny, Uncle Johnny, Mr. Washington... John E. Washington will be missed