Obituary of John William Eskilson

John W. Eskilson, 89, of Mt. Arlington passed away, peacefully, on Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at his home, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on November 9, 1928 in Bronx, NY, where he was raised by his mother, the late Ellen (Christianson) Eskilson and her parents the late John and Betty Christianson.  The family moved to Bergenfield, N.J. when John was 12 where he attended and graduate from Bergenfield High School. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1946 and served proudly as a radioman and submariner until 1951.  After his military service, John attended and graduated  (1955) from Upsala College where he met and eventually married his wife and love of his life Dolores (Schulke) Eskilson. He resided in Kearny, NJ with his wife for more than fifty years before moving with Dolores to Middletown, New York.   His son John was born in 1956 followed by his daughter Ingrid in 1958.  John spent his professional career as a high school social studies teacher at his alma mater Bergenfield High School ultimately retiring in 1983.  During that time, he studied at Montclair State College where he earned a Master’s Degree in Political Science (1966).  He also spent time studying at the New School of Social Research in New York City.   

John enjoyed traveling around the United States with Dolores, listening to Broadway show tunes, reading, singing and laughing out loudly.  John was a long-time member of the NJ Education Association (NJEA) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). 

He was predeceased by his loving wife, Dolores in 2015.

Survivors include his son John H., daughter Ingrid Bazydlo and her husband, Charles, and two grandchildren, Jennifer Bazydlo and Brady Eskilson.

John’s Life Celebration will be held privately under the direction of Leber-Lakeside Funeral Home, 150 Landing Road, Landing, NJ.  John will be laid to rest at Arlington Cemetery in Kearny, NJ. Memorial donations to the American Civil Liberties Union (www.aclu.org – click on donate and follow link to memorial gifts) are encouraged.