John J. Majka, 95, of Scotch Plains, N.J., passed away at home on Friday, Jan. 9, 2015, with his loving wife, Grace, by his side. He was just shy of his 96th birthday.

Arrangements are by the Rossi Funeral Home, 1937 Westfield Ave., Scotch Plains, N.J. The visitation will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. The funeral service will be on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015, at 9:15 a.m. from the funeral home, with a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Scotch Plains. The private interment in Honesdale, Pa., is on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015.

John was born in Jersey City, N.J., on what his mother described as one of the coldest days ever. He was the son of Nicholas and Bertha and was raised in Peckville, Pa., and Honesdale, Pa.

John proudly served with the U.S. Army during World War II with the 82nd Airborne, Company G of the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment. He made several parachute jumps while serving in the European theater. John saw hard action during the Battle of the Bulge, served for a short time as an M.P. and eventually served as the mail clerk for Company G of the 508th. That final chapter of his military life set forth his future. After being honorably discharged in 1945, he worked for Calco Chemicals (American Cyanamid). However, it was the U.S. Postal Service where he found his calling. He was a mail carrier in the City of Elizabeth for 37 years.

John loved the outdoors, and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He also took special pride in his garden, raising lots of fresh vegetables that he shared with family and friends. It was his love of hunting and fishing that led him to work part-time for 15 years at Ray's Sport Shop in North Plainfield, N.J., which was owned and operated by his close friend, Ray.

John was predeceased by his parents; his beloved first wife, Terry (Ditzel); son, John Andrew; brothers, Walter and Paul; sister, Louise Orshefski; and nephews, Edward "Bucky" Orshefski and Steven. John is survived by his cherished wife, Grace (Minnick) Majka, who lovingly cared for him during his final illness; niece, Sherly-Ann Green of Austin, Texas; nephew, Gerald Orshefski of Stateboro, Ga.; his treasured sisters-in-law, Ruth Crilly, Joty and Elsie, and a host of close family and friends, whom he loved and was loved by.

[Published in Star-Ledger on Jan. 12, 2015]

ADDENDUM:  At the request of his wife, donations in John's memory may be made to the Family and Friends of the 508th PIR (checks may be made payble to F&F 508th PIR) at 3630 Townsend Dr., Dallas, TX75229-3805
 

New Jersey WWII Veterans Bonus application for John J. Majka.

John enlisted in the Army at Honesdale, PA on 17 February 1941.

Pvt Majka became a member of Company G, 508th PIR sometime in 1942 or 1943.  By October 1943 he was shown with the rank of T5 in Company G.

T/5 Majka's military decorations include the Combat Infantryman Badge awarded for action during campaign, 18 Dec 1944 to 20 Feb 1945, effective 25 Dec 44