John Kleban

John Kleban, age 81, of Manahawkin, NJ passed away on Saturday, January 8, 2022.

John was born in Bayonne NJ to Stephanie and John Kleban. His parents owned a furniture and floor covering store where John helped with deliveries and repairs throughout his entire life.  He went to school at the College of Staten Island where he majored in electrical engineering and received his master’s degree at the Rochester Institute of technology.

He was hand selected by Bell Laboratories in New York City where he worked his entire career.  While at Bell Laboratories he designed the spoken hub and was recognized with a prestigious designer award.  His most important event at Bell Labs was when he met his bride of 58 years, the woman he described as “the catch of his lifetime, Diane.”  Diane and John settled in Staten Island, New York and had three daughters. Although he fathered three children, he was a father figure to several sons. He was a man of faith, living his life with integrity and honor. He accomplished many things in his 81 years. He created works of art with stained glass and had a side business as a lawn mower repair man. He has many other interests and accomplishments such as a science fair judge, taught religious instruction to young people, coached his pride and joy, his granddaughter’s soccer team, taught digital photography, was angler of the year for several years in a row, was an accomplished gardener, always had puppy treats available to all the neighborhood dogs, even while driving, could repair pretty much anything, and always had a story or some knowledge to impart.

John is what you would call a rare man of the greatest generation. He was a man you could count on, to do the right thing, would always lend a helping hand to those in need, had a positive infectious personality and was the definition of decency and integrity.

John is survived by his wife Diane Kleban (nee Ryder), his three daughters; Karin Kleban-Allen, Kristin Kleban, and Stephanie Kleban, his sister Christine Monge, his granddaughter Karly, and grandfather figure to Sarah. He was a father figure to Bobby, Ronnie and Eddie.  To say he will be missed is an understatement.

Visiting hours will be Sunday, January 16, 2022 from 1pm to 4pm at Maxwell‐Tobie Funeral Home, 573 Mill Creek Road, Manahawkin, NJ. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, January 17,11am at St. Mary of the Pines Church, 100 Bishop Way, Manahawkin, NJ. Entombment will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, Beachview Avenue, Manahawkin, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in John's memory to the St. Bernard pet pantry at St. Mary's Church. Please make check payable to St. Mary's Church and in memo area write "for St. Bernard pantry in memory of John Kleban". Mail check to St. Mary's Church, 747 West Bay Avenue, P.O. Box 609, Barnegat, NJ 08005, or Reclam the Bay at https://reclamthebay.org