Obituary of John Falzer

John Falzer of Montclair, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, and friend passed away on December 2, 2023, of complications from a stroke.

John and his twin brother Louis were born in Washington DC on October 28, 1943, to Annelise (Munch) and Louis Falzer. Soon after, the family moved to Mamaroneck NY where John and Lou lived until graduating high school. They both played Little League and high school baseball, a sport John continued to play in college as a pitcher. John attended Adelphi University in Garden City, NY graduating in 1966 with a BBA. It was while attending Adelphi he met his future wife, Gloria, who attended a nearby rival university but luckily the same college pub. John served as president of Omicron Pi Fraternity where he made friendships that continued until his last days. Just recently he organized an annual get together with a few college friends.

Soon after graduating, John was drafted into the US Army where he served from 1968-1970, the latter half stationed in Okinawa with the U.S. Army Security Agency as a Military Intelligence officer and ending his service with the rank of First Lieutenant.

John spent his business career in the tabletop industry, and launched his innovative glassware and crystal company, Jonal Crystal, in 1983. Jonal designed and manufactured many unique original products including the hugely successful “CRYSTAL KISS” candy dish through a licensing agreement with Hershey. After Jonal was sold in 1997 John continued to work in the industry, most recently with Qualia Glass. He retired in 2020.

John loved to travel, and he and Gloria made several trips to Europe, to Japan and throughout the states. Always athletic, as a young man he played tennis and after retiring became an avid golfer. He also took up writing – mostly short stories, one of which won an Essex County 2022 writing award. John was a great friend to many, regularly keeping in touch with friends, new and old. But his greatest passion was his family, especially being a grandfather to Harry and Louise, attending soccer games and performances and teaching Harry to play golf. He will be missed by so many.

John is survived by his wife of 55 years Gloria (nee Kjeldsen), his twin brother Louis (Kathe Wood Falzer), sons Michael (Jennifer Falzer) and Adam (Lise Landeau), grandchildren Harrison (11) and Louise (8) as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws.

The family will hold a celebration of John’s life at a later date (to be announced). In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to either the Montclair Ambulance Unit who truly are life savers or Sandy Hook Promise https://takeaction.sandyhookpromise.org/a/inhonorof dedicated to protecting children from gun violence.