John Karol Figa, Sr., age 68 years, of Raritan Township, NJ, died on Sunday, September 16, 2018 at Hunterdon Medical Center, Raritan Township, NJ.

Born in Somerville, NJ, January 3, 1950, son of the late Leslie and Emily Joan Figa, John was a lifelong area resident.

A 1968 graduate of Hunterdon Central Regional High School, John entered the United States Air Force upon graduation and served until 1972, when he was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant.

Upon his return, he entered Trenton State and earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. He later would go on to earn his PMP (Project Management Professional) designation, of which he was most proud.

After graduation, John went to work for Davis-Standard as a Project Manager and worked there until retiring in 2016. He loved his work, and it provided him the opportunity to travel around the world working on various projects.

Additionally, he was the owner and operator of “The Hobby Shop”, located in the Flemington Shopping Center for many years.

John will be remembered not only for his strong work ethic, but also for his community involvements. He served on the Raritan Township Committee; as a Coach for Flemington-Raritan Baseball (where he was instrumental in getting lighting for the fields); and was a longtime communicant of St. Magdalen Church. He also enjoyed games of change and his poker face was legendary!

Most of all, John will be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was the rock of the family, and had the patience of a Saint.

Always supportive, he was the one who would listen and give sound advice on almost any matter. He always pushed his children to live up to their potential, and always reminded them that no dream was out of reach.

Surviving three heart attacks, John developed lung cancer two years ago and the way he approached his diagnosis with hope, resilience, and always with positivity, will never be forgotten by all who knew him and will be forever inspired by him. He would want anyone reading this to remember and live by these words, ” Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us day by day, unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed and forever dear.”

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, William Michael Dostal.

Surviving are his wife of forty-four years, Beverly Anne Dostal Figa, whom he married on September 29, 1973 at St. Magdalen Church on Park Avenue; his children, Victoria Anne and her husband, Christopher Loveless, John K. Figa, Jr., and Kevin William Figa; his grandchildren, Emily, Ryan, Megan and Payton Figa; a brother, Leslie Figa; a sister-in-law and her husband, Victoria and Charles Wilson; a sister-in-law, Mary Dostal; several extended family members; and many friends.

Family and friends may gather to celebrate John’s life on Monday, September 24, 2018 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

A Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Rev. Walter Wilktorek will follow the gathering beginning at 11:00 a.m. in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 105 Summer Road, Three Bridges, NJ.

Inurnment with full military honors will follow at St. Magdalen Cemetery, 99 North Main Street, Flemington, NJ.

Cremation at the Chapel of Ewing Crematory, Ewing Township, NJ was private under the direct supervision of the Wright & Ford Family Licensed Care Team.

Please visit John’s permanent memorial site at www.wrightfamily.com where one can light a candle and leave a message of condolence and words of comfort, as well as share stories and photographs of his life.