John J. Glassford, Sr. (Jack), 73, of Wall Twp., died on Saturday, June 2, 2018.
Jack was born in Asbury Park and raised in West Belmar. He was a 1963 graduate of Wall Twp. High School, and later in life, Brookdale Community College. Jack enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at age 18, and soon married and became a father in 1965. He served with the 2nd Marine Division in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, then with the 3rd Marine Division, starting in 1966, at Thua Thieu, Quang Tri and Quang Nam Provinces, Viet Nam, as a Radioman with the 3rd Bn., 3rd Marine Regiment. He was decorated for his service by the Marine Corps and the South Vietnamese government. He was honorably discharged and returned to the Shore area, where he worked in the construction field.
Jack began his employment as a Wall Twp. Police Officer in 1967, and was promoted to Sgt., 1st Sgt., Lieutenant and Detective Lt. during his police service. He was selected to attend the F.B.I. National Academy at Quantico, Virginia, graduating in 1983. He was then assigned to supervise various units within the Police Department, until retiring after 25 years of service.
Jack then did some farming in southwestern Virginia, before returning to Wall in 1999. He then worked for Basic Tech Drilling Co., of Ocean Gate, N.J., for several years, while enjoying his family, which then consisted of his wife Jean, children Gary, John, Lisa, and Jacqueline, and 8 grandchildren, Samantha, Matthew, Jake, Emily, Joey, Jared, Danielle, and Dana. Jack was predeceased by his daughter Lisa in 2010.
Jack and Jean devoted many years to the care of Lisa’s three children. He and Jean always knew that these were the very best years of their lives. His children and grandchildren are what made him most proud. Semper Fidelis.
Visitation will take place at O’Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Hwy. 35, Wall, on Tuesday, June 5, 2018, from 3-7 P.M., followed by a funeral service at 7 P.M. Cremation will take place privately. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jack’s memory may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project, at www.woundedwarriorproject.org , or Popcorn Park Zoo, PO Box 43, Forked River, NJ 08731.