Obituary of John Yselonia

John M. Yselonia, affectionately known as “Yazzie” during his school years, peacefully passed, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and lifelong passions. He was born on December 18, 1947, in Jersey City, New Jersey, to Margaret and Charles Yselonia. Following high school, John proudly served in the United States Army and was stationed in Korea. After completing basic training, he achieved top secret clearance as a telecommunications technician, managing highly sensitive communications—including during the Pueblo incident in 1968. During his time in Korea, John also showcased his exceptional coordination and competitive spirit by playing ping pong, where he won tournaments against some of the best players in the country. He remained deeply proud of his military service throughout his life. John shared a deep and enduring love with his wife, Helen Yselonia, who preceded him in passing on February 3, 2024. The two met on the tennis court—an origin that perfectly reflected the life they would build together. Both avid tennis players, John and Helen married in January 2000 and spent years playing doubles, winning many highly ranked local tournaments as well as competitions in places they loved, including Hilton Head . Together, they built a life filled with adventure, companionship, and cherished memories, traveling extensively to destinations such as Hawaii, Mexico, Italy, and of course their beloved Hilton Head Island. John is survived by his daughter, Jacqueline Yselonia and her boyfriend Anthony Golgano; his stepdaughter, Cara Zaranski; her husband, Peter Zaranski; and their children, Ava and Declan. He is also survived by his brother, Charles Yselonia. A dedicated professional, John worked for AT&T until his retirement in 1997. Following his retirement, he discovered a second calling, which he loved, as a high school tennis coach at Bergen Tech Academy. John took great pride in coaching, leading his boys’ and girls’ teams to numerous regional and state championships. His passion, mentorship, and enthusiasm for the sport left a lasting impact on all his players and fellow coaches. John had a zest for life that extended far beyond his love for sports. A true foodie at heart, he was constantly on the hunt for the best pizza—whether on work trips, vacation, or simply exploring close to home. Sharing a great slice of pizza and a cold beer was one of his favorite simple joys, and he loved talking about his discoveries with friends and family. He and Helen also treasured time spent playing cards and taking weekend trips with their close friends, Donna and Al. John was a devoted sports fan, and he and Helen faithfully supported their home teams—the New York Yankees, New York Jets, and New York Knicks. No matter where they were, they always made time to watch important games together, often finding a local sports bar or pub to catch the action. John will be remembered for his warmth, humor, dedication, patriotism, and unwavering love for his family and friends. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 11th at 12:00 PM at the Wayne Presbyterian Church, 1200 Alps road, Wayne, New Jersey 07470 to celebrate John’s life. A repass will follow immediately after at the church. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to one of the following: USTA Foundation, Transforming Lives through Tennis: What We Do. John Yselonia Memorial Fund at the Wayne Presbyterian church which will help support necessary improvements in which John was passionate about. Online: go to WaynePresbyterian.org/give . Click on “Make a donation”, then “ One time Gift”. Under “Fund” click on 3rd option “Memorial Fund” and fill in the payment details and note for “John Yselonia Memorial Fund”. You can also send checks to Wayne Presbyterian directly, please note for the John Yselonia Memorial Fund.