Obituary of John Peter Viola

John Peter Viola, age 74, passed away peacefully Monday, August 11, 2025, in the arms of his wife, Darby and son, Joseph.

John was a lifelong resident of Morristown, NJ, where he was known by many as “Goombah Johnny” or “Mr. Morristown”. He worked in Morristown his whole life as a special education aide in the Morristown School District, a guard for the County of Morris and a deliveryman for Rago Brother’s Shoe Repair and for the United States Postal Service where he was, in his words, luckily hit by a car and was able to gain early retirement. During his time with the USPS he was a proud union man and was elected president of the National Association of Letter Carriers’ Morristown, NJ, Branch 272. John also served from 1970-1976 in the New Jersey National Guard.

John was a member of many organizations in the Morristown area, being a former president of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 1311 and a former commander of the American Legion Post 59. John was also a longtime member of the Columbian Club, where he enjoyed celebrating his Italian heritage.

John at one time or another was an avid collector of antique bottles, postcards, books, coins, baseball cards, maps, lighters, hats and dozens of other things. He had a deep passion for history, especially Morristown history with an extensive collection of memorabilia and was named Assistant Town Historian under Mayor Jay DeLaney and Mayor Donald Cresitello.

John loved his family, friends, his community, food, bars, flea markets, the Brooklyn Dodgers, American History and making people laugh with one of his thousands of jokes. It would not be an exaggeration to say John Viola had a direct beneficial impact on hundreds of people’s lives through his generosity, friendship and love.

John is survived by his wife, Darby (Drake), his son, Joseph, his brother Lawrence and his wife Ruth, his sister Lois (Viola) and her husband Tom Dalton. His brother-in-law Tom Drake and wife Karen (Bacon), and sister-in-law Christelle Drake. Along with numerous nephews, nieces, great-nephews, great-nieces, cousins and countless friends.

Services will be held on Sunday, August 17, from 1-4pm, with a brief Prayer Service with Military Honors at 3:30pm, at Dangler Funeral Home, 600 Speedwell Avenue, Morris Plains, NJ. (*A steady flow throughout the Funeral Home will ensure every guest has time to pay their respects.*)

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations in memory of John be made to the Tunnell to Towers Foundation (www.t2t.org).