John J. 'Bart' Barteluce, Flew Combat Missions During World War II, Of Mahwah, Died Friday

Editor’s note: The following obituary first appeared on the Trinka-Faustini Funeral Service website.

Barteluce, John J. “Bart”, 92, of Boynton Beach, Fla. and Mahwah, formerly of Hackensack and Maywood, died on Friday, July 31.

He retired from the U.S. Navy with the rank of Commander in 1973 after 30 years of service.

As a Naval Aviator he flew combat missions in the Pacific during WWII, and later in Korea and Vietnam. In March 2001 he volunteered for duty once again, having read that the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary needed spotters for patrol missions.

At 82, he was the oldest pilot in the C. G. Auxiliary’s 1st Southern Region, whose patrol area extends from the Canadian border to Manasquan Inlet. In his long service career he was stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas, Morocco, Washington, D.C., Argentina, Greenland, and finally, Hawaii, where he lived for 18 years.

He received 50 service medals and letters of commendation from Presidents George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush. A true patriot and noble member of The Greatest Generation, to his many relatives he is now a family treasure, to his beloved country, a national treasure.

He was predeceased by his wife, Patricia and a son, John Joseph Barteluce; his sisters, Anna and Carolyn C. Barteluce, Mary B. Gatti and husband, Dr. Joseph D. Gatti and Angie Oropallo and husband, Patrick; and his brothers, Frank J. and wife, Annette and Daniel P. and wife, Amelia.

Survived by his devoted companion Noreen Horgan and three children, James Thompson of Bellevue, Neb., Christopher M. Barteluce and wife, Christina of Hawaii, and Barbara A. Lansdowne and husband, Michael of Woodsboro, Texas; four grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Visiting at the Trinka-Faustini Funeral Service, 439 Maywood Ave., Maywood on Wednesday, Aug. 5 from 4 -7 p.m. Funeral Mass on Thursday, 10 a.m., Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, Maywood. He will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc. memo: “Flotilla 10-01”, c/o Steve, 339 Changebridge Rd, Suite 3, Pinebrook, N.J. 07058.