John T. Pandolfe, Jr., passed away, after 80 great years, on Monday March 28, 2022 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. “Jay” was a devoted husband and father, a loyal friend and business partner. He grew up in Manasquan NJ, lifeguarded in Point Pleasant and worked construction with his father and brothers, building several homes on the Jersey Shore and performing odd jobs such as lugging large wooden poles into the ocean to mark off swimming areas each summer. Jay graduated Manasquan High School in 1960 where he excelled in football, basketball, and baseball.

He also had a bright academic future. Jay achieved a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Miami in 1965, a Master of Science in Education from Monmouth College in 1973 and a Juris Doctor from University of Miami, School of Law in 1976. Prior to earning his Law Degree, Jay was a history teacher in Brick Township schools, where his students remember him fondly. After law school, he became a partner in his own law firm, Pandolfe, Shaw and Rubino, where he dedicated 40 plus years to the field of law.

Jay loved life and working hard. He also had a knack for taking risks and ventured into the restaurant business in the late 1970’s and became a proud owner and partner of Avon Hotel Corp, DBA, The Columns and The Parker House, with his friends Frank Matthews and Henry Wright, where he had a successful career of over 40 years.  He helped to provide a safe working environment and made those around him feel at ease and part of the family. He always had time for a laugh and could tell a good story.

Jay was member of the Monmouth County & Florida Bar Associations and served on the Board of Directors for Spring Lake Golf Club for several years. Jay enjoyed playing golf, playing cards and attending horseraces at Monmouth Park. He loved watching the Yankees while smoking a good cigar on his front porch.

He was predeceased by his wife Linda (nee Fritzsche) Pandolfe in 2016, parents John and Jeannette Pandolfe, and brother Joseph Pandolfe. Surviving are his children, daughter, Leslie Sims and her husband, Robert, and son, Matthew John Pandolfe; his siblings, Jeffrey Pandolfe, Jeannie Pandolfe, and Judy Pandolfe; and his cherished granddaughter, Leah Frances Sims.

Arrangements are under the direction of the O’Brien Funeral Home, Wall.  Interment will be private. A public memorial gathering will take place at the Columns, Avon NJ on Tuesday June 7, 2022, 12-4pm.  

In lieu of flowers, Jay was a supporter of arts and culture; donations are welcomed in his memory by The Institute of Music for Children, in Elizabeth NJ, www.instituteofmusic.org,