John D. Dobrowolski

John D. Dobrowolski, was a lifelong resident of Kearny, N.J., educated and graduated Kearny High School, Class of 1981, with honors. He remained “Kearny Proud” and “Kearny Strong” until he left this world and his loving family on Sunday, June 09. 2024. He was 60 years old. John never married but was loved dearly by his nieces and nephews born of blood as well as those born of love and belonging to endearing friends. He was always there to lend a helping hand to those in need. He is pre-deceased by his beautiful mother, Kathleen C. (nee Sheerin) and leaves behind his father, business partner and best friend, John C. Dobrowolski, fondly nicknamed “Ubsy.”  John owned and operated Arlington Oil, a family business that originated with his parents in 1962.  He is survived by his sister, Dr. Marie C. Gray, of Dallas, Pennsylvania and Georgetown Delaware and her wife, Cathy Lee Jones, and Helena M. Swan, of Nutley N.J., and her Significant Other, Jason P. Murray.  He was a devoted and proud uncle to Thomas F. Gray, Jr., and his wife, Floramie Lambus-Gray, of Easton, Pa., Deirdre E. Gray, and her husband, Mark Bella, of Glen Lyon, Pa., Monica L. Gray and her partner, Racquel Przenioslo, of Hackensack, N.J., Danielle K. Swan, of Boston, MA., who earned NCAA championship status in 2021 and 2022, and Jeffrey James Swan, Jr., of Nutley, New Jersey. John loved being a “great” uncle to Liam J.P. Gray, Noah James, Gray, Melissa C. Longfoot, Olivia G. Gray, Willow Mae Longfoot, Jayden Bella, Landen Bella and he was an honorary “uncle” to Jillian, C.J., Alex and Kaitlyn Hirst, as well as Madison and Paul Fadeski, Jr.

John had the spirit of “Old Fezziwig” at Christmas and he enjoyed cooking and celebrating with friends and family whenever he had the opportunity. He was spirited, strong willed and passionate about those he loved and cared about and not unlike, “George Bailey,” John was the richest man in town. The absence of his presence is felt by all who knew him  and who love him and his spirit and soul are flying free, no longer constrained by a body which could no longer hold his spirit. Fly Free, little brother! Fly Free, “Johnny-Boy!”

The funeral will be conducted from the Mulligan Funeral Home, 331 Cleveland Avenue, Harrison, NJ, 07029 at 10:00 am on Thursday, June 13, 2024. A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Stephen’s Church, Kearny, NJ, at 11:00 am. Friends and relatives of John and his family are invited to attend his visitation on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. His interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington, N.J.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mulliganfh.com.

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