March 27, 2021
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Today the Mercer County Fire Service laid to rest John Loyal Newbon, Sr. who was beloved by many throughout the county. A large contingent with hundreds of firefighters and apparatus stretched for blocks as the motorcade made their way from Hamilton Township Station 18 (Colonial) past Hamilton Fire Station 14 (Hamilton) and to the final resting place at Greenwood Cemetery. A full firefighter’s ceremony included bag pipers and a “final call” from Mercer County Central/KSO-869 over the fire radio channels.
Our friend John will be greatly missed, he joined the fire service as a junior member of Hamilton Fire Company in 1977 at the age of 16 and continued to serve in various positions in the fire service in Mercer County for 43 years.
John L. Newbon, Sr.
April 24, 1961- March 20, 2021
John Loyal Newbon, Sr., 59, of Hamilton, passed away peacefully on Saturday,
March 20, 2021 at Beth Israel Hospital, Newark, NJ. Born in Trenton, NJ he was a lifelong Hamilton Twp. resident. The name Loyal meaning faithful and unswerving was a fitting name for John.
He started his career in Fire Service by joining the Hamilton Fire Company in 1977 at the age of 16 as a Junior Fireman. He did this for 2 years before moving up to a regular contributing member in 1979, as Operator 59, serving on many committees.
John moved to active status in 1980 and put in 7 years of over 60% of fire calls, he became exempt in the company and received his qualifying certificate for the state in 1991.
John served as Trustee 1980 – 1984, Vice president 1992, President 1993,
Chief Driver 1991 – 1994, 3rd Captain 1981 and 2004, 2Nd Captain 1982 – 1983, 1991 – 1992 -2005, Chief in 1989 and 1996 to present, and company secretary for many years.
He achieved his life status with state relief association and has served for many years as Vice president and president of the Hamilton Fireman’s Relief Association. John held every office in the Mercer County Fireman’s Association and has helped with many committees and the memorial service.
John was a life member and served on the credentials committee and audit committee for the State Exempts Association. He served as a Commissioner for Fire District 4 from 1993 – 2017 and 2019 – 2020 and was a member of the State Board of Commissioners.
He joined the Slackwood Fire Company to help the residents of Lawrence Township and moved up to Trustee and most recently Assistant Chief.
John was a Senior Supervisor for Mercer County Communication 911 Dispatch Center, Operator 105 , and was active with the County Fire Coordinator office.
In the little bit of spare time he had, you could find him at his camper in the Pleasant Valley campground. He loved hunting, catfishing and vacationing with his family.
Predeceased by his parents, Blanche and Albert Newbon and his sisters Patricia and Fern; he is survived by the love of his life , wife of 39 years Jacqueline “Jacki” (Salay); 3 children, son John Jr., daughters Jamie, and Jacquelyn and husband Anthony, his granddaughters whom he loved so much Alyssa, Cassidy, Lily, Aja; brothers Thomas and wife Virginia (Gini), brother Brian and wife Betty; step-mother-in-law, Sandi Brelsford; beloved canines Cleo and LuLu, along with many other family members, friends, neighbors and colleagues, who will miss him dearly .
Visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday March 26, 2021 from 3:00pm-9:00pm and again on Saturday, March 27, 2021 from 8:00am-10:00am at the Colonial Fire House, 801 Kuser Road, Hamilton NJ.
The funeral service will be held Saturday at 10:00am at the Colonial Fire House.
Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Saint Barnabas Burn Center, 95 Old Short Hills Road, West Orange, NJ 07052, in John’s name.
Arrangements are under the direction of Buklad-Merlino Memorial Homes, Hamilton.
A large contingent of firefighters and apparatus stretched for blocks as the motorcade made their way from Hamilton Township Station 18 (Colonial) past Hamilton Fire Station 14 (Hamilton) and to the final resting place at Greenwood Cemetery.
Photos by: Colin McCormick
Photos by: Brian McCarthy, OnScene News