Mr. John D. Colanero

John D. Colanero, age 90 of Paulsboro, passed away peacefully at home on September 26, 2023. John was born and raised in Paulsboro and loved his Lord, his family and his town. John worked at Mobil Research and Development for 33 years until retirement in 1992. He was a long time active member of St. John’s Roman Catholic Church and St. Claire congregation. He spent time as a member of the Knights of Columbus, St. John’s Church Choir, and coached St. John’s CYO basketball for boys and girls as well as football. In 1969 his football team went undefeated and unscored upon for the season. Through the years John’s hobbies included playing softball with his friends in the Mobil Oil Red Horsemen Club and playing pinochle in holiday tournaments with his brother Don Colanero. John is a 1950 graduate of Paulsboro HS and loved cheering on Paulsboro wrestling and all sports through the years. He was the orchestra and band manager, dance band manager, and played baseball. After high school, he completed the accounting program at Camden Commercial School. He was drafted into the US Army for the Korean War. He proudly served his country stateside from 1953 to 1955. John married his sweetheart Concettina (Connie) DiSilverio in 1955 and took on the world together for 38 years. John is survived by their four children, Stephen Colanero of Wilmot, NH, Sarah Foulke (Robert) of Sicklerville, Teresa Colanero of Paulsboro, and Christina Thompson (Peter) of Beaver, PA; his grandchildren Nico Cimino of Brooklyn, NY, Rebecca Young (Lane) of San Antonio, TX, and Annette Thompson of Boulder, CO; his great grandson, Theo Young of San Antonio, TX; his sister, Mrs. Mary Robertson of Marlton. He was preceded in death by his wife, Connie; his parents, Stefano and Serafina Colanero, his siblings Angela DiPietro, Don Colanero, and Anne Colanero. John loved people. He could be found talking with anyone about Paulsboro, the Eagles and Phillies, crabbing, hitting the lotto, the Shore, Malvern Retreat Center, and His Lord and Savior Jesus. He was a 35 year retreat participant at the St. Joseph in the Hills Retreat House in Malvern PA. In the early 2000s he was invited to join the diaconate program. He studied and became a deacon for the Diocese of Camden. Through the program and the ten years he served, he was able to share the joy of the Lord with many. He treasured the relationships he built. Even after retirement from the diaconate, John prayed with and for people everyday. Serving the Lord by serving others made his heart sing. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 AM Saturday September 30, 2023 in St. Clare of Assisi Parish, St. Michael’s Church, 313 Memorial Avenue, Gibbstown. Relatives and Friends may visit with the family Saturday morning after 9 AM in the church until Mass time. Interment Eglington Cemetery, Clarksboro. Arrangements by McBride – Foley Funeral Home, Paulsboro. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in his memory to either Guardian Angels School, 150 S. School St., Gibbstown or Paulsboro Wrestling Club, 427 Billings Ave. Paulsboro, NJ 08066. Memories can be shared at www.mcbridefoleyfh.com.

Mr. John D. Colanero

June 30, 1933 - September 26, 2023