John Hessel

John A. Hessel, retired USAir Captain, died at 82 on December 8, 2015.
John was born July 30, 1933 and raised in Fairhaven, New Jersey. He graduated from Rumson-Fairhaven High School in 1950 and attended Penn State. At 19, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp and earned his wings at Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida. He served 4 years as a fighter pilot.
John married Judy Wolf in May of 1965. They raised their 2 children John and Jennifer in their beloved town of Monmouth Beach, New Jersey. In 1957, he began his commercial airline career with Mohawk Airlines in the cockpit of a DC-3 and after 34 years, retired in a 767.
After retirement, John continued to enjoy time with his family and friends, sailing, duck hunting, golfing and target shooting.
They relocated to Gulf Breeze, Florida in 2003 to enjoy their grandsons. John was a regular at the Blue Angels practices and volunteered weekly at the Naval Air Museum for several years.
John is survived by his wife Judy of 50 years, the love of his life! Also, his son John (Michele) of Norfolk, Virginia, daughter Jennifer (Greg) Donovan and grandsons Ryan and Kyle of Gulf Breeze, Florida, his sister Mary Cravens-Parker of Henderson, Kentucky, preceeded in death by his younger brother George (Marilyn). John will be so deeply missed!

FLY ON!

A committal service for John will be held at Barrancas National Cemetery on a date yet to be determined.