Obituary of John Henry Hacker Jr.

John Henry Hacker II Feb 27,1940 – Jan 10,2024 Born in West Reading PA to the late Anna (Catalano) Hacker and John H Hacker Sr, and later raised by his loving grandmother Antonina Catalano and three aunts, Marie, Violet and Frances in Newark NJ. John grew up surrounded by show business (two aunts were professional dancers) and Big Band Music. He had an opportunity to meet many performers of that era such as Jacki Gleason and the Three Stooges as well as a plethora of musical talent. This led him to his love of performing. John’s talent allowed him to be successful in playing both the Trumpet and Drums. He was a member of a band named the Jersey Jive Jumpers. They provided dance music for weddings and supper clubs during the late 1950’s. His love of music led him to the dance where he met his greatest love who later became his wife Eileen Joyce Poznanski. They were together for 65 years until his recent passing. Together they raised three amazing children, John H Hacker III, Kim Ellen (Hacker) Zorn and Susan Ann (Hacker) Cannon. They are blessed with 10 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren as well as two crazy dogs named Gizmo and Zoey. John loved fishing, crabbing and clamming. He spent many years enjoying the Jersey Shore with his lifelong best friend Jimmy (Hambone) Hamill. Later in life he followed his best friend to his piece of paradise in Hawley PA where he built a home and made many friends. He was known in town as “Ponytail John” (for his long silver ponytail) or as the “Mayor of Hawley” due to his ability to converse with anyone and everyone he encountered. His personality was charismatic and entertaining. To his family he was most lovingly known as Pop-Pop, our personal leader of the clan, loved deeply by every one of us. John was also a talented craftsman and woodworker. He built a wood shop admired by all lucky enough to see his masterpiece. His other interests were all John F Kennedy and the conspiracy theory. His collection of books on JFK could support a small library (we still do not have the answer). John passed away peacefully in hospice care surrounded by his loving family. He was preceded in death by his his brother Salvatore LoSchiavo. He is survived by his loving wife Eileen, his three children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Also still surviving are his five siblings, Joanne Lynch, Rose Molko, Sarina Adolffo, Anna Rowland and Rosario LoSchiavo. Calling hours will be Sunday, January 14, 2024, from 10 to 12 noon at Teeters' Funeral Chapel, 505 Church St, Hawley, PA, followed by a service at noon. Burial will be in Green Gates Cemetery in Hawley.