John P. Lyden Jr.

John Patrick Lyden Jr., 55, of Toms River, passed away Thursday, February 6, 2025.

John’s journey began on February 8, 1969, in Carteret, NJ, as the son of RoseMarie (Valvano) and John Patrick Lyden Sr. He attended St. Joeseph’s Grade School and was an altar boy at St. Joesph’s Church. John was also active in local sports as a catcher in Little League, three times a team MVP, and a lineman in Pop Warner Football. In 1982 the family moved to Ocean Gate, NJ where John continued as an altar boy at St. Barnabas Church. A 1987 graduate of Monsignor Donovon High School (Toms River), John went on to earn a BA in Music at Stockton State College, and an MA in music composition at Trenton State College, now the College of NJ.

An accordion player since age seven, John enjoyed playing in the Ocean County String Band at age thirteen where he performed for President Ronald Reagan. Moving to the piano and eventually the electric bass, John made lifelong friends in rock ‘n roll and jazz groups that brought him great memories. An accomplished composer, he wrote over 80 rock songs 50 jazz tunes, as well as two symphonies, four string quartets, single movement orchestral pieces, piano sonatas, various works for chamber instruments including a cello sonata, trumpet and piano, and flute and piano, and works for voice and orchestra and voice and piano.

John began working at Bayville McDonalds on Friday, September 13, 1985 at age 16 and after 14 months rose to the rank of assistant manager while still 17 years old. Here he met his wife-to-be, Marie, and his best friend, Stuart Veeder. His experiences there as a manager formed the rest of his life. The shyness that plagued him as a young man was stripped way and he began what he considered his true life.

On October 19, 1997, John married his beloved Marie Delia, of Bayville, and always swore that she was the best thing that ever happened to him. They had no children but loved their niece and godchild, Lorianna, and nephew, Kingston, like they were their own. John considered their 27 years of marriage to be his greatest accomplishment in life. Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at age 32, Marie was there to care for him for most of his adult life, and he often said there was no way he could repay her kindness and love.

He was a fervent follower of sports and was a passionate fan of the Philadelphia Phillies, Eagles, and Sixers, as well as, West Ham United, U.S. Gymnastics, and Auburn football. Stuart Veeder’s father, Volkert, had season tickets to the Eagles for over 60 years and often invited John to games. These were some of his fondest memories, especially the car rides to the stadium talking about the history of Philadelphia sports with Volkert and his brother Bruce. He considered Volkert a second father. Though John is no longer with us, his love for the Eagles lives on, and we know he would have been overjoyed to see them bring home another Super Bowl victory.

He is survived by his wife Marie, his mother RoseMarie, his in-laws Frank and Cheryl Delia, his sisters-in-law Tina Delia, Denise Delia, and Nadine Delia. A niece Lorianna (Colton) Delia-Shan, and a nephew Kingston Smith, and a great- niece, Francesca Marie Shan. He was preceded in death by his Father John Patrick Lyden, Sr.

In lieu of flowers, John requests donations be made to the ASCPA in the name of his beloved dog Archie. ASPCA.org

A Memorial Service will be held for family and friends on Friday, February 14, 2025 from 12:00-3:00 at Mastapeter Memorial Home, 270 Atlantic City Blvd., Bayville, NJ 08721.