John James Loboda

John J. Loboda

John James Loboda, 88, passed away peacefully Saturday, Feb. 21, 2009, surrounded by his family at his son’s home in Celebration, Fla. He was predeceased by his wife, Hannah Mulligan, in 1997. He was born Feb. 24, 1920, in Newark, N.J., the son of Valentine and Katherine (Gubernat) Loboda.

He was graduated from East Side High School (Newark, N.J.) where he starred in both baseball (all-state) and football. He was a veteran of World War II and was stationed in England, serving in the 417th Signal Corps, 8th Air Force.

Upon returning home after the war, he married the lovely Hannah Mulligan and they raised three children, residing in the towns of Kearny, Verona and Wayside (Jersey Shore), N.J. He had an enjoyable and prosperous long-term employment with the Radio Corporation of America (RCA), working at both the Kearny and Woodbridge plants as a supervisor. After RCA closed the Woodbridge plant, he worked the remaining years with Eastern Air Lines before retiring to Cape Coral.

Mr. Loboda had a passion for all sports, especially baseball. He was a well-known and widely respected baseball umpire for many years, as well as officiating basketball for 15 years. He joined the New Jersey State Baseball Umpires Association after the war. He also served as president of the Jersey Shore Baseball Umpires Association. He umpired both high school and college games throughout northern and central New Jersey, as well as in the Jersey Shore area. Even through his late 70s, he continued to umpire, but now it was recreational softball games, mainly in his retirement hometown of Cape Coral and the surrounding Fort Myers area.

He is survived by his three children, Bill Loboda of Holt, Mich., Kathy (Robert) Waller of Pembroke Pines, Fla., and Jerry (Kristin) Loboda of Celebration, Fla.; three grandchildren, Lindsey (Aaron) Sears of Sebring, Fla., Christopher Loboda (girlfriend Jessica Echeverria) of St. Cloud, Fla., and Hanalyse Loboda of Celebration, Fla.; one great-grandchild, Kassidy Sears of Sebring, Fla.; and sister-in-law, Eleanor Loboda of Point Pleasant Boro, N.J.; wife’s family and in-laws, Bill Mulligan, Helen (Joseph) Kerkes, Claire Fergie and Cecilia (Eugene) Kenney; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Valentine and Katherine (Gubernat) Loboda; brothers and in-laws, Joseph (Helen) Loboda, Walter Loboda, Leon (Rosemary) Loboda; sister, Helen (Carl) Melzer; and wife’s family and in-laws, Mary (Frank) Jova, Charles “Chick” Fergie and Rita (Patrick) Kelly.

Consistent with Mr. Loboda’s wishes, there will be no formal funeral services. In lieu of flowers, a contribution in his name can be made to the Celebration Little League, PO Box 470094, Celebration, FL 34747 [321-939-2582].

Condolences may be sent to the following e-mail address: lobodaj@aol.com.