John W. Wickham

John W.Wickham (Jack), 87, passed away on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, in Livingston, NJ.

Visiting will be held at the Prout Funeral Home, 370 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona on Sunday, September 13, from 2 to 5 pm. Funeral services will be held at Calvary Lutheran Church, 23 South Prospect Street, Verona on Monday at 10 am.

Born in Glen Ridge, Jack was a lifelong resident of Verona and a proud graduate of Verona High School, Class of 1958. He was the elder of twin brothers by just three minutes, a distinction he shared throughout his life with his brother, Gordon.

Jack served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Fred T. Berry and later the USS Thaddeus Parker. On both ships, he had the unusual privilege of serving alongside Gordon, with both brothers working as Quartermasters.

He began his working career as a clerk with SGA Scientific Glass in Bloomfield and later joined the custodial staff of the Verona School System. Even after retirement, Jack remained a familiar and friendly presence in town as the crossing guard at Forest Avenue and Harrison Street, where he greeted generations of students, parents and neighbors with a smile and a wave.

Jack’s ties to Verona ran especially deep. From his days as a student, he carefully kept scrapbooks documenting the sports teams of Verona High School, a tradition he continued for many years. He remained an enthusiastic supporter of Verona’s student athletes and took great pride in following their accomplishments.

In 2014, he was in inducted into the VHSAA Hall of Fame for Community Service.

Calvary Lutheran Church was another constant throughout his life. Jack and Gordon were baptized there in February 1939, making them two of the congregation’s oldest and longest-standing members. Over the decades, he served the church in many capacities, including as an elder, usher, greeter and service assistant. Beginning in 1962, he and Gordon also served together on the church’s counting committee.

Jack married his wife, Carol in 1966 and together they shared 60 years of marriage.

He is survived by his wife, Carol (nee Lombardi) Wickham; his sons, John Scott Wickham and Todd Steven Wickham (Kim); his twin brother, Gordon E. Wickham (Ruth) and his sister-in-law, Barbara Tserkis (Nick)

He was predeceased by his parents, Alfred and Madeline Wickham and his sister-in-law, Betty Kidon and husband John.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jack’s memory to Calvary Lutheran Church, 23 South Prospect Street, Verona, NJ 07044 (www.veronalutheran.com) or the Verona Rescue Squad, 12 Church Street, Verona, NJ 07044 (www.veronars.org) would be appreciated.

Condolences, memories and photographs may be shared on Jack’s obituary page at proutfuneralhome.com.