- Date Of Birth: September 8, 1924
- Date Of Death: April 24, 2016
- State: New Jersey
What we do for ourselves dies with us. What you put out in the world comes back to you, but, what we do for others is and remains immortal. This calling, to give of myself, most do not understand. But, I stand ready all the time, to help my fellow man. A true hero are friends who unselfishly dedicate their lives to others. The “Firefighter’s Prayer” reads; “When I am called to duty, God, whenever flames may rage, give me strength to save some life, whatever be its age…” During the early morning hours of Sunday April 24th, 2016, after a brief illness, the final alarm had sounded. John P. Filippine was called to duty and went home to the Lord.
At the age of 91, John’s soul became unburdened and he peacefully passed away at Samaritan Hospice, Mt. Holly. It was time to say goodbye and hello to his spirit. The greatest measure of a man is not measured in the crucible of imperfections, but rather, in the metamorphoses of what he becomes. Mr. Filippine was faithful, patriotic and selfless who had spent and dedicated his life to his home, the Burlington community. John was born in and spent his whole life in Burlington.
He graduated from Burlington City High School, class of 1943 and had contributed to the manpower of our nation, fighting to uphold the ideals of American freedoms, during WWII, in the Pacific Theater as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army. Following an honorable discharge John had worked in the Florence Foundry Pattern Shop and subsequently worked as the Burlington City Municipal Clerk from 1954 until his retirement in 1987. Mr. Filippine felt very deeply about his faith. He was an active, lifetime parishioner of St. Katharine Drexel Parish at St. Paul’s Church where he never missed Mass, served as usher for 70 years and had been a member of the Burlington Knights of Columbus, Council # 589. During his early years, Mr. Filippine played baseball every weekend.
John organized the Burlington City Little League and had been elected the first President of the Burlington City Babe Ruth League. He also organized the Burlington City summer and winter outdoor basketball leagues and was a past officer of the Columbus Park Civic Association. John was an exempt firefighter and honorary life member of the Neptune Hose Co. # 5 where he served as Past President, Treasurer and Captain as well as a life member of Mitchell Fire Company # 3. Mr. Philippine served as the Burlington City Fire Dept. Chaplain and was a life member of the Burlington City Relief Association, the Burlington City and New Jersey State Exempt Firemen’s Associations. Our American soldiers don’t fight because they hate what’s in front of them. They fight because they love what’s behind them.
Mr. Filippine had been a long time member of the Captain James Mac Farland American legion Post 79 where he served as Post Adjutant, Past Commander and had been the organizer for flag placement in the Burlington County cemeteries as well as the caravan to the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery. He served as the parade committee chairman for the Memorial & Veterans Day parades for over 40 years and was a longtime, honorary, member of the Scully Bozarth VFW Post 1817. Mr. Filippine had been an associate member of the U.S. Submarine Veterans Association and had been awarded the NJ Distinguished Service and Burlington County Service Medals. Mr. Filippine is survived by and is the father of his children; John A. & his wife Candace Filippine, Sr. and Gloria Ann Filippine.
John is the proud grandfather of John Anthony Filippine, Jr. and is the brother of Jean Eckman, the late Samuel V. Filippine, Sr. and brother-in-law of Elizabeth Filippine. John is also survived and will be sadly missed by his nieces and nephews; Samuel V. Filippine, Jr., Linda Sampieri, Jeanmarie Morlack, Donna Hay, Leonard Eckman, Jr., Danette Eckman, many great nieces and nephews, one great, great nephew and his longtime dear friend Ann Clark, of Burlington, for over 40 years. Relatives, friends, neighbors, firefighters, legionnaires and veterans are invited to join the Filippine family to remember and honor John, celebrate selfless heroism and pay tribute to a dedicated husband, father, grandfather and brother.
