Pittstown, NJ—John Francis Aylward, 72, passed away on Tuesday, January 11, 2011 surrounded by his loved ones at Country Arch Care Center in Pittstown after a long illness. Born in Newark, NJ on February 15, 1938, son of the late Michael and Mary (Hoynes) Aylward both emigrants of Ireland, he settled in Pittstown twenty-two years ago.

John was honorably discharged from the United States Navy as a specialist in radio electronics, having served in Morocco, Lebanon and Europe. John served the community of Hillside as a Police Officer and was later assigned to the Middlesex and Passaic County Prosecutors Office as an investigator. He then became a technical sales rep for Sirchie Fingerprint Labs and enjoyed being self employed in residential and commercial cabinetry. He was an avid pilot who also loved boating and fishing at the New Jersey Shore, stock car racing, his German Shepards and traveling.

Besides his parents, John was predeceased by his sister Patricia Clark.

John leaves behind to cherish his memory, Beverly Myers, his life companion; his five children: Sean Aylward, Christine Aylward, Cynthia Aylward-Arko, Kara Aylward and Andrew Aylward; his two sisters Maureen and Catherine. He will be deeply missed by his nine grandchildren.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend visitation at Countryside Funeral Home, 724 Route 202 North, Three Bridges, NJ 08887 on Friday, January 14th from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. and on Saturday, January 15th from 9:30-10:15 a.m.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 15th beginning 10:15 a.m. from the funeral home followed by an 11:00 a.m. funeral liturgy at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Roman Catholic Church in Three Bridges. Committal words and interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to be made in John's memory to Lewy Bodies Dementia Association, c/o LBDA, 912 Killian Hill Road SW, Lilburn, GA 30047.