John Joseph Cioban, Jr.

Mr. John ‘JayCee” Joseph Cioban, Jr., 89, the last one of ten children of the late Franciszka Katarzyna Gacek Cioban and the late John Joseph Cioban, Sr., entered the gates of heaven on the 7^th. day of the 7^th month at the 7^th. hour on July 7, 2022, at 7:30AM.

We respectfully request that no one arrive at the funeral home prior to the posted visitation times, so as not to intrude on the family’s private time. 

Family and friends are invited to the visitation in the Kowalski Funeral Home, 515 Roselle Street, Linden on Thursday, July 14^th. from 3:00-7:00PM.  On Friday, July 15^th. at 8:15AM, everyone will start to gather in the funeral home where a prayer service will begin at 8:45AM, followed by the funeral mass to be offered in St. Adalbert Roman Catholic Church in Elizabeth at 10:00AM.  The prayers of committal will precede Mr. Cioban’s burial in the family plot in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Linden, New Jersey.

JayCee’s career spanned 35 years as a collator for Wilson-Jones Company in Elizabeth, New Jersey.  He followed that up with a ten-year stint employed by the Elizabeth Board of Education in the custodial department. Throughout his life, JayCee tended bar at the Merritt Tavern, a neighbor bar in Elizabeth.  It is said, that JayCee was a good looking man with a kind soul, an open heart and a talent for listening to people.  All attributes a good bartender should have!

JayCee was forever a “Frog Hollow” guy to his core, as he was born in a house down the street from where he currently lives.  In fact, he never left the neighborhood that he loved so dearly, except for his time spent in the Military.   JayCee made sure to do business with the locals and every day, he walked over 2 miles around his personal kingdom.  Even if you didn’t know JayCee personally, you knew him by his beautiful blue eyes and his walkabouts.  In his earlier years, he was a member of the Frog Hollow Bowlers, as well as a member of the Sailors Club with his late brother, Adam.  JayCee proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.  He volunteered for the Special Services known as the Army Airborne and it is widely known that he has not been on a plane since!  JayCee was a member of the Polish Legion of American Veterans, Post #91 of Elizabeth, and Linden.  Over the years, He had many nicknames – Fisherman Jay – because he spent many weekends in the highlands with his brother, Leon ‘Cap’ and the family on ‘The Susan” fishing for fluke, ling or crabbing.  Farmer Jay - can also be added to his monikers, as he grew spectacular vegetable gardens with bumper crops of tomatoes, pepper, zucchini and cukes – all from a garden, he didn’t even have to plow.  Florist Jay - was always the envy of anyone who was lucky enough to visit his gorgeous and bountiful flower garden and smell the fragrances of the colorful array.  Such a gifted man to have not one, but two green thumbs.  All his hobbies and daily activities certainly kept JayCee with his ever present and very famous ‘Florida tan” that he acquired without ever having to leave his beloved slice of paradise. 

JayCee was predeceased by his nine brothers and sisters, Theodore Cioban, Stanley Cioban, Leo “Cap’ Cioban, Veronica Paterek, Adam Cioban, Cecilia Bratkowski, Joseph Cioban, Sophie (also known as Sue) Cioban and Victor Cioban.  It is so sad that JayCee, the keeper of the family stories and the holder of the memories, now as the youngest and the last Cioban child has joined his beloved family that he lost one by one over the years. He takes with him a lifetime of wonderful treasures.   

JayCee was very blessed to spend his life with two ladies that loved him beyond words.  The first lady was his wife, Betty E. Hrudowsky Cioban who passed away on February 4, 1995.  He then met Kathleen Sager who was by his side for the past twenty-six years and she always referred to JayCee as ‘My Beloved”.  There are many people in this world who do not find love even once.  This man, with the heart of gold, the generous nature, the ever-present smile and a willingness to help everyone in need, hit the jackpot twice! 

JayCee is the proud father of his two daughters, Susan Cioban-Dwyer and her husband, Joseph and Michelle Cioban.  There are also numerous nieces, nephews, friends, neighbors, and former co-workers who will now have an empty spot in their hearts as they mourn the loss of JayCee.  He was a once in a lifetime kind of person and we are lucky to have had him as a part of our life and our family.  Rest in Peace, JayCee.  

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.