John N. Olejar

December 17, 1931 – December 28, 2018

John (Smokey) was born in Elizabeth, NJ and raised with two brothers (Edward, Paul).  He enlisted in the Navy shortly after the breakout of the Korean War and served on a destroyer, the USS Soley 707.  All (3) brothers served in Korea when the youngest, Paul, joined his brother on the Soley in 1952.  John met his future wife, Patricia shortly after returning home in 1954.  They were married in May, 1956 and raised two boys (John, James).

The family enjoyed their summer home in Pt Pleasant NJ and moved there year round in 1968.  John was a truck driver for (10) years and a business owner for (5) years at JV Tire before becoming a County Supervisor for the Dept. of Public Works for (20) years.

Smokey and Patricia moved to Delray Beach, FL, in 1994 for retirement and remained there until relocating to Lake Placid in 2015.   Smokey was known to work hard and live life well.  He had many lifelong friends from his youth and through all of the years from Pt Pleasant to Delray Beach.  Traveling was a passion which included bi-annual reunions with his crew of brothers from the USS Soley.

Smokey was preceded in death by his brothers Edward (Harry), Paul and recently by his beloved wife of (62) years, Patricia.   Surviving are his sons, John (Stella) and James (Pamela) along with grandchildren, Jimmy (Candace), Karyna (Roger), Tom, Sean, and Alexa.

Nieces and Nephews: Maureen, Kim, Rick, Karen, Brian, Christina and great grandchildren: Kendall, Indigo, Cruz, and Eli James.

A celebration of John's life will be held on Friday, January 4 ^th at the Palm Beach National Chapel , located at 10055 Heritage Farms Road, Lake Worth, Florida 33449, (561-967-1200). The arrangements will be as follows:

Viewing: Palm Beach National Chapel- at 9:00 AM

Military Funeral Honors: South Florida National Veteran's Cemetery/Memorial Park at 10: 45 AM

The family suggests a donation to the American Cancer Society in lieu of flowers.