John Felsmann

June 25, 1942 - August 5, 2022

John Felsmann has passed into Eternity. John has served on the BOTMA Board of Directors and has been the BOTMA Treasurer for many years. He will be sorely missed. John was the guy that kept everything running in the background at the BOTMA stage shows. He was the one that always stopped in the practice rooms in the back to make sure the bands had everything they needed. He was like the air traffic controllers that you need but rarely see. In some ways he was the heart of the BOTMA experience. He was a true gentleman, a lover of music, and was always an encouraging figure. He loved music and he would stop while making his rounds to listen to what everyone was playing and always had something nice to say. He and Trudy were regulars at the Bluegrass Festivals for many years and it was a joy to see him standing playing the mandolin and just enjoying the music. Our hearts go out to his wife Trudy and their children and grandchildren.

 

Here is John's Obituary:

John P. “Smokey” Felsmann

John P. “Smokey” Felsmann passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on August 5, 2022. John was a life-long resident of Fair Haven, a community he was proud to serve for 59 years.

He graduated from Red Bank Catholic in 1960 and served in the Coast Guard from 1963-1968. He retired from his position with the Red Bank Post Office in 1997. In 1965, John was married to Trudy Boehme of Little Silver and the couple raised their three children in Fair Haven.

John had a deep love for the Navesink River and spent his life boating, fishing and crabbing. After his retirement, John and Trudy became avid travelers having taken 41 cruises together to ports all around the world.

John had a great love for music and enjoyed playing the mandolin, guitar, accordion and wash tub base at many backyard parties at his home over the years. He passed on his love of music to his grandchildren by gifting each of them a ukulele on their fifth birthdays. John served as the Treasurer of the Bluegrass & Old Time Music Association for 17 years.

John was a Life Member of the the Fair Haven Fire Company. He joined the company in 1963, serving as Sergeant at Arms for 40 years, and Fire Chief in 1973. He was also a long-time member of the company’s fire, police and water rescue team.

John was predeceased by his parents Benny & Millie Felsmann and his sister Valerie Moran. He is survived by Trudy, his wife of 57 years, and his children Paula Mulvihill (husband Jack), Monica Felsmann and John W. Felsmann (wife Liz). John is also survived by his five beloved grandchildren Zack, Kirstin, Katie, Anna & Vivian who brought endless joy into his life.

Visitation will be Wednesday, August 10, 2022, from 5-8pm at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad Street in Red Bank. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, August 11, 2022, at 10:00 am at the Church of the Nativity, 180 Ridge Road in Fair Haven. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in John’s memory to the Fair Haven Fire Company.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many thanks to Bill and Clare Gilsenan and the FHFD for the pictures of John