John Edward Dench

John Edward Dench of Newton, N.J., passed away peacefully Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, at his home. He was 95.

He was the beloved husband of Virginia M. Dench, with whom he shared 67 years of marriage.

Born in West Orange, N.J., John was the son of William and Lillian Dench.

He graduated West Orange High School in 1944 and served immediately afterward with the Army Air Forces. After his military service, he graduated from Newark College of Engineering (now New Jersey Institute of Technology) with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. John was employed by Allied Chemical Corp. (now Honeywell) and worked there as a chemical engineer and project manager for more than 30 years.

A longtime member of the United Methodist Church, John had also served on the board for Mt. Fern United Methodist Church and teaching Sunday School classes. Mr. Dench enjoyed a number of hobbies throughout his life, including rockhounding, travel, reading, hiking, jogging, camping, photography, and nature. He will be lovingly remembered for the time he spent sharing his numerous interests with his four children, in national parks, historical sites, science, art, lapidary, technology, and faith.

John is survived by his wife, Virginia (nee Fulton), of Newton; sons, John (Amy) of New York City, and Donald (Maryann) of New Jersey; daughters, Nancy (Fayek) of Egypt and Cynthia (Glen) of Virginia. Mr. Dench is also survived by his grandchildren Rafaela, Angela, Danny and Katie; as well as his brother, Donald, 93 (Susan) of Twentynine Palms, California.

Visitation was held Nov. 1 in the Iliff-Ruggiero Funeral Home, Newton, followed by funeral services and graveside interment services in the Restland Memorial Park Cemetery, East Hanover, N.J.