Obituary for George Jude Lister
George Jude Lister, 91, our dearly loved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and cousin passed away peacefully at home on March 9, 2020, after a protracted illness. Born in Newark, NJ, George was raised in Belleville, NJ, in a devout Catholic family, and spent many happy years there, before moving to Spring Lake, NJ, in 1996. He had been a resident of Seabrook Village, Tinton Falls, NJ, since 2012.
A graduate of St. Benedict’s Prep and William Paterson College, George attended the 112th Session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA, from which he graduated in 1978.
After serving as a Corporal in the United States Army during the Korean War, for which he received a Bronze Star for meritorious service, George joined the Belleville Police Department in 1952, achieving his childhood dream to pursue a career in law enforcement. He was inspired from an early age by his neighbor, Michael Flynn, Belleville’s first Police Chief, whom George affectionately called “Grandpa Flynn.” George’s grandfather and an uncle, who had previously served in the Belleville Police Department, were also an inspiration. George retired in 1992, having proudly served for almost 40 years, 12 years as the town’s sixth Police Chief. During his tenure, Chief Lister oversaw the upgrade of the police facilities and the automation of the department’s records’ bureau.
George was a past president of the Essex County Association of Chiefs of Police and a member of the Belleville Rotary Club, where he was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International in 1993, for his contributions to the community. He was a longtime coach and Treasurer of the Belleville Little League. After his move to Spring Lake, George was active in St. Mark’s Holy Name Society. He was very generous with his time, truly living the Rotary’s motto – “Service over Self.” Above all, he was a loving husband and devoted father and grandfather, for whom family meant everything.
Predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Kathryn (Dunn) Lister and his brother Joseph J. Lister, George is survived by his cherished wife, Joan (Smith), of 67 years. He also leaves behind his devoted daughters, Karen (Joseph) Murphy and Patricia (Stephen) Kest; his treasured grandchildren: Christopher (Elisabeth) Murphy, Caitlin (Christopher) San Filippo, Matthew (Markela) Murphy, Sara Kest, Shannon Murphy (fiancé Jesse Gemberling-Johnson) and Zachary Kest; his precious great-grandchildren Ryan and Samantha Murphy; and his adored sister, K. Patricia Cotten, as well as many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family would like to thank all those who took such loving care of “Uncle George” during his 6.5 years at the Gardens.
Visitation will be held at the O’Brien Funeral Home, Route 35, Wall Township, NJ, on Thursday, March 12, 2020 from 4 PM until 8 PM. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, March 13, 2020 at 9:30 AM at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, Sea Girt, NJ. Entombment will follow at St. Anne Cemetery and Mausoleum, Wall Township, NJ. For more information or to send condolences please visit www.obrienfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to either Fulfill (www.fulfillnj.org) 3300 Route 66 Neptune, NJ, 07753 or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org).
A graduate of St. Benedict’s Prep and William Paterson College, George attended the 112th Session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA, from which he graduated in 1978.
After serving as a Corporal in the United States Army during the Korean War, for which he received a Bronze Star for meritorious service, George joined the Belleville Police Department in 1952, achieving his childhood dream to pursue a career in law enforcement. He was inspired from an early age by his neighbor, Michael Flynn, Belleville’s first Police Chief, whom George affectionately called “Grandpa Flynn.” George’s grandfather and an uncle, who had previously served in the Belleville Police Department, were also an inspiration. George retired in 1992, having proudly served for almost 40 years, 12 years as the town’s sixth Police Chief. During his tenure, Chief Lister oversaw the upgrade of the police facilities and the automation of the department’s records’ bureau.
George was a past president of the Essex County Association of Chiefs of Police and a member of the Belleville Rotary Club, where he was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International in 1993, for his contributions to the community. He was a longtime coach and Treasurer of the Belleville Little League. After his move to Spring Lake, George was active in St. Mark’s Holy Name Society. He was very generous with his time, truly living the Rotary’s motto – “Service over Self.” Above all, he was a loving husband and devoted father and grandfather, for whom family meant everything.
Predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Kathryn (Dunn) Lister and his brother Joseph J. Lister, George is survived by his cherished wife, Joan (Smith), of 67 years. He also leaves behind his devoted daughters, Karen (Joseph) Murphy and Patricia (Stephen) Kest; his treasured grandchildren: Christopher (Elisabeth) Murphy, Caitlin (Christopher) San Filippo, Matthew (Markela) Murphy, Sara Kest, Shannon Murphy (fiancé Jesse Gemberling-Johnson) and Zachary Kest; his precious great-grandchildren Ryan and Samantha Murphy; and his adored sister, K. Patricia Cotten, as well as many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family would like to thank all those who took such loving care of “Uncle George” during his 6.5 years at the Gardens.
Visitation will be held at the O’Brien Funeral Home, Route 35, Wall Township, NJ, on Thursday, March 12, 2020 from 4 PM until 8 PM. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, March 13, 2020 at 9:30 AM at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, Sea Girt, NJ. Entombment will follow at St. Anne Cemetery and Mausoleum, Wall Township, NJ. For more information or to send condolences please visit www.obrienfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to either Fulfill (www.fulfillnj.org) 3300 Route 66 Neptune, NJ, 07753 or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org).