John Anastos, 87 , died on Saturday, May 8 , 2021 in Marlton, NJ .

He was born in Paterson , NJ, in 1934 to the late Gregory and Athena Anastos.

John graduated from high school in Paterson , where his family owned the Florida Fruit Market. He spent summers in Coney Island with his grandmother and aunt , working at Steeplechase Park . He served in the United States Air Force , then returned to Brooklyn where h e went on to graduate from New York University.

In 1957, he married the love of his life, Fevronia , his "Coney Island Girl . " They built their family in Brooklyn, having two children , Gregory and Maria. During that time, he was active in the church community and Boy Scouts and always devoted to the Greek Orthodox church and traditions. He spent most of his career as a systems analyst on projects for Manufacturers Hanover Bank.

His greatest pride and joy was the birth of his granddaughter, Christina (his "little honey bunny") , and then her wedding in 2019.

John was a quiet man with a big heart and a gentle soul . He loved horse racing, country music, all sports , and numbers. He would look to find the meaning of every number. Because h e died on 5/8/21 , h e would have noticed that 5+8 +21=34, the year he was born!

He loved spending time with his family most of all.

John was lucky to find true love again later in life when he met Marilynn Goldberg and t hey married in 20 09. They lived in Landenberg, PA , and then Marlton, NJ. They enjoyed travel, theater , orchestra , friends and family.

He is predeceased by his first wife Fevronia Anastos (1999) , his son Gregory (1988) , and his brother James (2017) .

Surviving are his wife Marilyn n Goldberg, his daughter Maria and her husband Vincent Mattina of Monroe Township, and his granddaughter Christina Mattina and her husband Zachary Meiklejohn of Lawrence Township . Also surviving are his brother Christ Anastos and his wife Hilda of Sugar Land , TX.

Visitation will be Wednesday, May 12 , from 4 pm to 7 pm at Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 S. Holmdel Road, Holmdel. A Funeral Mass will be offered on Thursday, May 13 , at 11 am at Kimisis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church, 20 Hillcrest Road, Holmdel. Burial will follow at Old Tennent Cemetery, 454 Tennent Road, Manalapan.

In lieu of traditional remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in his name be directed to the American Heart Association ( www.heart.org )

KINDLY NOTE: for the health and safety of all guests, current state and local health protocols of social distancing and the wearing of face masks are being strictly enforced.