John A. Ponczek

February 21, 1957 – September 29, 2026

John was a family man and a man of many talents. He passed away on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. He was 69.

John was born February 21, 1957 in Jersey City, NJ and attended school there until moving to Kearny, NJ. There he attended St. Stevens School and he graduated from Kearney High School where he was an active member of the school’s photography club, beginning his journey to become a true modern day renaissance man. He attended Lincoln Technical School to become an engine specialist; his love of engines and motorcycles began early, building his own dirt bike at 17 and later modifying his own drag race car out of an Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme that he frequently raced at Englishtown Raceway Park. He also had a life-long love for horses that started when his grandfather gifted him his first horse as a child, learning to ride from his Aunt Barbara in Lakewood, NJ.

One of his earliest jobs at American Van Lines would get him to travel across the country, driving his tractor trailer that he bought, eventually settling in Montana for several years. It was in Montana where he began his first business, Hooker Towing. While in Montana, he joined the Gallatin Gateway County Mounted Sherrif’s Posse Search and Rescue and took up the sport of cowboy polo. It was at a polo match that he met his future wife, Cyndy Mess who was also from New Jersey, visiting her brother who was on the polo team. When Cyndy returned home, John decided to follow her back to NJ, and began driving a tractor trailer again for Shop-Rite. He always said the best perk was all the free pastries. After marrying Cyndy in 1982, he then started his next business, Yesteryear Limo, after purchasing and restoring several antique, classic cars. He later expanded the operation to include photography and videography for weddings and called that branch Classic Photography. After successfully running the limousine and photography business, he purchased a catering company and became an all-in-one wedding business, which he called Classic Productions. During this time, he enrolled in real estate school and got his real estate license, beginning the career that would last the rest of his life, starting at the Silverman Group. Before long, he received his Broker’s license and started his last company, JP Realty which he ran for 40 years.

John is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Cyndy Ponczek. Together they raised two wonderful children. Son Matthew Ponczek and his fiancée Caitlin O’Neill, and daughter Jessica Ponczek.

John was predeceased by his parents, Teddy and Dorothy Ponczek, and his brother Joseph Ponczek.

A memorial visitation will take place on Saturday, October 3, 2026 from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm at Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840. The memorial service will also be held on Saturday, October 3, 2026 starting at 4:00 pm.

For those wishing to leave online condolences for the family, please visit, www.cochranfuneral.com.