Longtime CentraState Employee Dies at 66

John H., “Jack” Stryker, 66, a life- long resident of Freehold passed away in Virginia Beach, VA on Monday, with his sister, brother-in-law and Springer Spaniel, Annie, at his side.

Jack was born March 23, 1947 in Neptune, NJ.  He attended Freehold Borough Schools and graduated from Freehold Regional High School in 1966. He was a communicant of St. Rose of Lima Church. 

Jack was employed in the Operating Room and Housekeeping departments of Freehold Area Hospital, now CentraState Medical Center for 40 years, retiring in 2011 due to illness. Jack loved his CentraState family. Their cards of love and words of support were a great source of comfort and pride for him after his retirement. 

A life-long Yankees fan, Jack could talk for hours about their wins, losses, players and statistics. Before his illness, Jack like to bowl with his coworkers and always enjoyed a good game of softball. 

Jack was predeceased by his father, John R. Stryker; mother, Rosaline Daley Stryker; a brother, Dennis Stryker and a sister, Colleen Stryker Hough.

He is survived by his sister, Rosemary Stryker Plum and her husband, David of Virginia Beach, VA as well as a sister-in-law, Michelle Stryker of Brick and a brother-in-law, Peter Hough of Atlantic Highlands.

Jack was especially proud of his nephews, Scott, Chris and Zach and his nieces, Jeri, Kelly, Erin and Brittney. He was always eager to talk about his great nephews; Sal, Alex, Conner and Declan as well as his great nieces: Kathryn, Brooke, Ellison and Madeline.

Jack always had a smile on his face and a light for others in his heart.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Sentara Hospice House c/o Sentara Health Foundation, 6015 Poplar Hall Drive, Suite 308, Norfolk, VA 23502 or Church of the Holy Family – with “Haiti Fund” in the memo line - 1279 North Great Neck Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23454. 

The viewing will be held at the Higgins Memorial Home, 20 Center Street, Freehold on Friday, Aug. 2 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at St. Rose of Lima Church, Freehold on Saturday at 10 a.m. followed by interment at the parish cemetery.