John Carl Bugay died unexpectedly in Green Township, NJ, on Monday, September 15, 2025, at Newton Memorial Hospital. He was 64 years old. Born on April 27, 1961, in Newark, NJ, he was the son of the late John George and Theresa “Terry” Anna Bugay. He spent his early years in Rahway, NJ, attending Roosevelt Elementary School and Rahway Junior and Senior High School, growing up with his four sisters: Cindy Zaleski and her husband Glenn, Melissa Micciche and her husband Jerry, Patricia “Patty” Tortorello and her husband Anthony “Tony,” and his late sister Theresa “Terry” Ann Bugay.
His love for the Pittsburgh Steelers led him to explore engineering universities in the area. He became a proud graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. His lifelong passion for technology and working with his hands was evident throughout his life. While at Carnegie Mellon, he formed deep, lasting friendships with his Theta Xi fraternity brothers, often organizing reunions. It was also there that he met his soulmate, Laura (Frissora) Bugay, a graduate of the School of Fine Arts. They were married at St. John Neumann in Bryn Mawr, PA, and he welcomed into his family his mother-in-law, Kay Miller Frissora; his late father-in-law, Francis Vincent Frissora; and sisters-in-law Julie Frissora and Clare Frissora.
After graduation, John followed in his father’s footsteps by joining the family business, PackDevCo, eventually becoming its owner and operator. In 2017, he merged the business with that of his friend and business partner, Luca Rocco, to form VPACK Technologies, based in Sparta, NJ. His career took him around the world, fueling his love of travel and culinary experiences, passions he shared with his beloved children, Theresa “Tess” Bugay and John Francis Bugay. Together, they created cherished memories traveling through Europe, especially Italy and Germany, Wyoming, and relaxing on the beautiful beaches of the Caribbean.
John was a deeply caring and generous person. Each year, he attended Estée Lauder’s Pink Ribbon Open, a charity fundraiser for breast cancer research held in the Poconos, inspiring his children to make service to others a core value in their lives. He enjoyed working on his 1970 T-Top Stingray Corvette with his son John and attending local car shows. In recent years, he also took great joy in helping his daughter with home remodeling projects at her residence in Baltimore, MD.
His devotion extended beyond family and friends. John was always looking for ways to uplift those around him. He served as a mentor for the Green Township Boy Scouts, coordinating trips and teaching young men the importance of planning, perseverance, and fellowship. He also mentored Newton High School’s FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Team 3142, supporting both his children’s involvement and helping guide the team to several international competitions in St. Louis, MO, over more than a decade.
John loved his home, his family, and the bonds he built through service and mentorship in his community.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High Street, Hackettstown, NJ. The funeral will follow at 1:00 p.m. at Good Shepherd R.C. Church, 48 Tranquility Road, County Route 517, Andover, NJ, with Father Michael Szwarc officiating. Burial will be private.
For those desiring donations may be made to:
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John Verbeke says
September 21, 2025 at 1:21 pmboogs… thanks for all the good times. And that one project where you waited until the last minute and freaked me out… but nailed it! YITB Oop
Russ Beers says
September 21, 2025 at 5:51 pmSo sorry to hear of John’s passing. Our thoughts are with John’s whole family. John was a memorable part of my CMU and Theta Xi experience, and I’m sure I’m not alone in that feeling. I’ll always remember him as a fair-minded and thoughtful brother. Rest easy, Brother.
YITB Russ Beers Pi 985
Cheryl Picard says
September 23, 2025 at 5:23 pmVery sorry to hear of John’s passing. The family is in my prayers.
James Hofmann says
September 24, 2025 at 2:09 amSo very sad to hear about John’s passing.
John Bugay was a dear friend and such a strong supporter of our Newton FIRST Varsity Robotics team & program. He was always generous with his sponsorship & support, as well as providing numerous hours during those most critical development robot build sessions. John offered his expert advice, guidance, and mechanical knowledge to all of our student and adult mentors during his decade of volunteering with Aperture #3142. John brought his mechanical brand of humor at times sharing with our adult mentors. Always positive, always available, always a constant, stable, source of robust design sense. John was always, “a step ahead of me”. John never complained about making numerous McMaster Carr orders with his own account when he knew it was situation critical to benefit our students’ efforts. He showed us all the most critical life skills that any manufacturer looks for. John modeled his set of “soft” skills that guided all of us to successful robotics seasons.
We were all the better for knowing him and enjoying his company during evening, Saturday crunch sessions. Not to mention competitions and events………..in the “PIT”.
He helped teach not only our student engineers, but at times our adult mentors who pitched in for the common good.
Please join me in prayers for the entire Bugay family.
Coach Hofmann
Paul Hiler says
September 24, 2025 at 2:57 pmMy deepest condolences to the Family. I had the honor of working with John on the Robotics team, his expertise, generosity and quiet leadership were key to the team’s rapid rise to success. Both directly and indirectly as his children, with Tess as our first female captain, were such a huge part of it as well. I know firsthand how hard sudden loss can be, and my prayers are with You all, Laura, Tess and John. God Bless
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