Commander John F. Fox

Commander John F. Fox, USNR (Ret.) died on May 21st 2016 in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. He was 79 years old.

Born on December 14th 1936 in Philadelphia, PA. He attended West Philadelphia Catholic High School prior to receiving a congressional appointment to the Naval Academy, where he was a member of the seventh company. A week after graduation he married his long time sweetheart Patricia (Pat) Hower, from Shamokin, PA.

Upon graduation, he initially served aboard the USS Furse (DDR-882) for three years becoming the ships’ Engineering officer before being selected into the submarine service. He served three years on the USS Sablefish (SS-303) becoming the boat’s Engineer. He resigned from active duty, but remained in the Reserves until retiring as Commander in 1978.

His civilian career was just a change in uniform. He started as a civilian Engineer for the Navy at the Navy Boiler and Turbine Laboratory in Philadelphia and for the next 26 years worked for NAVSEA in various positions serving the fleet. Finally, retiring from civilian federal service as a GS-15 and being awarded the U.S. Navy’s Superior Civilian Service Medal.

After Federal retirement, he spent the next 20 years as Vice-President for a Defense Department civilian contractor.

John was a loving, loyal, devoted husband, adored father and cherished grandfather. He enjoyed golfing with his friends, boating and crabbing with his family, and was an avid sports fan. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family.

John is survived by his wife Patricia of 58 years. Dear father of  John C. (Cindy) Fox, Margaret Fox, Mary (Andrew) Bott, and Joseph Fox.  Loving grandfather of Christine Fox, Alexis Bott, John Michael Fox, Emily Bott, and Victoria Bott.  Dear brother of Andrew (Anna)  Boyle.

Relatives and friends of the family will meet for his viewing and funeral on Thursday morning, May 26, 2016 from 9:00am to 11:00am at the BOCCO FUNERAL HOME, 1300 North Kings Hwy., Cherry Hill, NJ 08034. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on  Thursday at 11:30am at The Catholic Community of Christ Our Light Church, 402 North Kings Hwy., Cherry Hill, NJ 08034.  Interment Colestown Cemetery, Cherry Hill, NJ. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or The Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance.