John A. (Jack) Rice, 85, passed away peacefully at home on Feb 19, 2019 surrounded by his loving family. He was born July 20, 1933 in New York to John V. and Julia Rice.
Jack grew up in Flushing, NY and graduated from St. Anne’s Academy and Fordham University. Jack met his “bride”, Margie Noonan, while at Fordham. He enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1955. Jack and Margie married on Dec 26, 1955. He reported to duty two weeks later. He received his commission of Lieutenant in Quantico, VA and finished his military career in Camp Lejeune, NC in 1959 as a 1st Lieutenant.
Jack and Margie moved to Astoria, NY and had three children before moving to Levittown Long Island where they had one more child. Their last move was to Somerville, NJ in 1965 and had their last two children.
Jack’s career in Human Resources / Personnel was with United Parcel Service, the J&J family of companies, AtoChem, M&T Chemicals, and Bridgewater Township. He retired in 2002.
Jack’s faith in God was always at the forefront of his life. He was an active member of Immaculate Conception Church where he was a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, past president of the Holy Name Society, CCD teacher, and served on Pre-Cana.
Jack’s love of the US Marine Corps continued through his life. He was a past commandant of the Marine Corps League, John Basilone Detachment of the Marine Corps League & was a member of the John Basilone parade committee. Very fittingly, Jack passed on the 74th anniversary of John Basilone’s death.
He was actively involved with his community of Somerville and Somerset County. He belonged to Knights of Columbus, the 200 Club of Somerset County, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and Somerville Elks. He volunteered for SHIP through the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians. He served on the Somerville Board of Education and coached Somerville Little League and CYO Basketball. Jack was an avid supporter of all things for Immaculata High School and the Spartan Club. He was one of the original announcers of the Immaculata High School Spartan football games.
Jack always had time to help, especially for every member of his family. One his favorite sayings “God first, then his bride, then his children”. His children included Eileen Engleman (Mark Hess), Kathy Sloan (Hugh), Jack Rice (Sherry), Tim Rice (Caroline), Patti Rice-Drake (fiancé, Bob Belmont) and Tommy Rice (Melissa). Grandchildren Meredith, Kelly, Alli, Jack, Caitlin, Kristen, Kerry, Megan, Stacey, Jimmy, Timmy, Joey, Maggie, Billy, Jordan, Tommy, Shannon, and Lindsey. His great grandchildren are Tyler, Hunter, Carolina, Bella, Cade, Savannah, and Hailey, and his sister Regina McNulty (Gene). He is pre-deceased by his parents John and Julia Rice and his sister Eleanor Rice.
Viewing hours at Cusick Funeral Home on Friday, Feb 22 from 2-4pm and 6-9pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Immaculate Conception Church in Somerville, NJ on Saturday Feb 23rd at 9:30am.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jack’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Memphis, TN or The Calvary Hospital in the Bronx, NY.
Jack grew up in Flushing, NY and graduated from St. Anne’s Academy and Fordham University. Jack met his “bride”, Margie Noonan, while at Fordham. He enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1955. Jack and Margie married on Dec 26, 1955. He reported to duty two weeks later. He received his commission of Lieutenant in Quantico, VA and finished his military career in Camp Lejeune, NC in 1959 as a 1st Lieutenant.
Jack and Margie moved to Astoria, NY and had three children before moving to Levittown Long Island where they had one more child. Their last move was to Somerville, NJ in 1965 and had their last two children.
Jack’s career in Human Resources / Personnel was with United Parcel Service, the J&J family of companies, AtoChem, M&T Chemicals, and Bridgewater Township. He retired in 2002.
Jack’s faith in God was always at the forefront of his life. He was an active member of Immaculate Conception Church where he was a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, past president of the Holy Name Society, CCD teacher, and served on Pre-Cana.
Jack’s love of the US Marine Corps continued through his life. He was a past commandant of the Marine Corps League, John Basilone Detachment of the Marine Corps League & was a member of the John Basilone parade committee. Very fittingly, Jack passed on the 74th anniversary of John Basilone’s death.
He was actively involved with his community of Somerville and Somerset County. He belonged to Knights of Columbus, the 200 Club of Somerset County, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and Somerville Elks. He volunteered for SHIP through the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians. He served on the Somerville Board of Education and coached Somerville Little League and CYO Basketball. Jack was an avid supporter of all things for Immaculata High School and the Spartan Club. He was one of the original announcers of the Immaculata High School Spartan football games.
Jack always had time to help, especially for every member of his family. One his favorite sayings “God first, then his bride, then his children”. His children included Eileen Engleman (Mark Hess), Kathy Sloan (Hugh), Jack Rice (Sherry), Tim Rice (Caroline), Patti Rice-Drake (fiancé, Bob Belmont) and Tommy Rice (Melissa). Grandchildren Meredith, Kelly, Alli, Jack, Caitlin, Kristen, Kerry, Megan, Stacey, Jimmy, Timmy, Joey, Maggie, Billy, Jordan, Tommy, Shannon, and Lindsey. His great grandchildren are Tyler, Hunter, Carolina, Bella, Cade, Savannah, and Hailey, and his sister Regina McNulty (Gene). He is pre-deceased by his parents John and Julia Rice and his sister Eleanor Rice.
Viewing hours at Cusick Funeral Home on Friday, Feb 22 from 2-4pm and 6-9pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Immaculate Conception Church in Somerville, NJ on Saturday Feb 23rd at 9:30am.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jack’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Memphis, TN or The Calvary Hospital in the Bronx, NY.
