On August 25, 2016, John D. Koenig died at Bayshore Community Hospital in Holmdel, New Jersey after suffering a stroke. He was most recently a resident of Bayside Manor (BM) in Keansburg, NJ. He loved the staff and his fellow residents at BM and they became a second family to him. He loved debating and teasing his friends and family about books, politics, sports, religion and anything that was politically incorrect. He was hoping to make it to the election so he could do his patriotic duty and vote. A lifelong Catholic, he attended mass and received the eucharist just before falling ill. He was ready to meet his Maker. He knew God existed because only a good and merciful God would have created beer.
A long-time resident of Rumson and Red Bank, he was born at Doctors Hospital, New York City (NYC) -- the only child of George A. Koenig, M.D. and Helen Callaghan Koenig. He attended various NYC schools, graduating from Grammar School on Governors Island, during World War II, where his father served as a Colonel in the United States Army and also as Chief of the Governors Island Hospital. His time on Governors Island was some of the happiest of his life. It was on Governors Island that he became a life-long golfing enthusiast. He then began, what was to be an 11 year educational odyssey with the Jesuits beginning at Xavier High School in NYC and continuing with St. Peter’s College, Jersey City and then Fordham University Law School. Before entering Law School he served a combat tour as an Artillery officer in the United States Marine Corps. He fought in the Nevada Triangle (Korea) in March 1953.
During the fight, the infantry company he was assigned to as a forward observer lost seventy-two (72) Marines killed or wounded from a total strength of one hundred and forty seven (147) men. He never forgot the incredible acts of heroism and bravery he witnessed in Korea and always remembered fondly in his heart the Marines and Corpsmen with whom he fought and served. He looks forward to buying each of them a beer in heaven.
After Law School John went to work at Gasser & Hayes, a NYC Law Firm, thus beginning a fifty (50) + year career as a Trust and Estate Attorney. He is a former member of Beacon Hill Country Club, Shrewsbury Sailing Club, Oceanport and Monmouth Beach Bath and Tennis Club, where he had served as a trustee. He was a lifelong reader and History Buff, particularly Military History taking his family on numerous travels to historic sites and battlefields. He was a strong supporter of the Boy Scouts of America. All five of his sons were Eagle Scouts. The Marine Corps had no more loyal follower than John Koenig. He lived by the motto: Once a Marine, Always a Marine. Three of his sons became Marines.
He is survived by his former wife, Nancy Koenig McCoy of Little Silver, NJ, his sons: John (Jessica) of Vienna, VA, Thomas (Teresa) of Del Ray Beach, FL, George (Denis) of Atlanta, GA, William (Tara) of Williamsburg Brooklyn, NY and Peter of Rumson, NJ , his grandchildren: Thomas and John of Vienna, VA, George and Caitlin of Philadelphia PA ; Tricia (Kyle) Ricketts of Atlanta, GA, Ann Koenig of Atlanta, GA; Nancy, Courtney, Laura, Tripp and Jack Koenig of Atlanta, GA , Alexander, Olivia and Vivienne Koenig (Williamsburg Brooklyn, NY); and his great grandchildren: Emily and Grace Ricketts of Atlanta, GA.
A visitation will be held at the Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St, Red Bank, NJ on Friday, August 26, 2016 from 2:00-4:00pm and 7:00-9:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00am on Saturday, August 27, 2016 at St. James Catholic Church in Red Bank, NJ. Family and friends will gather afterwards to tell their favorite stories about this unique and irreplaceable man.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Semper Fi Fund at https://semperfifund.org/donate/ or to Sisters of Life at http://www.sistersoflife.org/donations in the name of John D. Koenig.
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