- Date Of Birth: May 24, 1924
- Date Of Death: May 10, 2013
- State: New Jersey
John Anthony Thieke, 88, of Holiday City South, Berkeley, died Friday, May 10, at the Van Dyke Hospice Center in Community Medical Center, Toms River.
He was a devoted husband, tireless caregiver, and the most wonderful father to his eight children. He married his childhood sweetheart, Patricia Kennedy, both Brooklyn natives, in 1944. He was a Second Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps and served as a Bombardier/Navigator during WWII. He was a lifelong accountant with a love of numbers. He lived both in Brooklyn and Manhattan before moving to Middletown, New Jersey in 1971 and then to Holiday City South in 1988. He was a parishioner and daily communicant of St. Maximilian Kolbe RC Church, Toms River. All who knew him will remember his kindness, warmth, generous spirit, and humble demeanor. He loved his family and friends and was happiest when in their company. His beautiful singing voice will surely be missed. He leaves shoes that are impossible to fill.
He was predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Patricia Kennedy Thieke in 2003, and his brother Francis Thieke.
Surviving are eight children, Christopher and Patricia Thieke, Stephen and Margaret Thieke, Diana and Patrick Fallon, Ruth and Moshe Nalick, Joan Burkepile, David Thieke, and Anita Susi, Matthew Thieke, Geoffrey and Diane Thieke; a brother William Thieke; a sister Dorothy Albelo, and his very dear friend Mary Jockel; 25 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
