John J. Driska, 76, of Cranbury, passed away on Monday, January 16, 2023, at Monroe Village Health Care Center in Monroe Township, NJ.

Born in Amsterdam, NY, John was raised in Johnstown where he graduated from Bishop Burke High School, Class of 1965. He was a proud member of their basketball team and later received his bachelor’s degree from Canisius College in 1969. John served in the ROTC Program while in college and later went on to serve in the US Army Reserves. John and his brother Steve were very proud of their Slovak heritage and were the first of their family to seek college degrees.

Over the years, John was employed with COLECO Industries where he rose from various positions in their Amsterdam, NY offices and then moved to their Hartford, CT headquarters’ rising to the ranks of Executive Vice President. During the rapid expansion of the company, he was instrumental in the development of the Cabbage Patch Dolls, COLECO Vision and the Adam Computer. Many of these became worldwide phenomenons. He later joined REMCO where he served there as Executive Vice President and ultimately retired from SDI Technologies where he worked for years until his retirement.

John loved and put his family before everything else. If he could be at a musical, sporting event, or celebration, he would be there. As much as he loved his work, he valued his family more.

John had many interests and lived life to its fullest. His work afforded him the ability to travel frequently to Asia and Europe. Besides travel for work, there were countless adventures around the world with his wife, Sandra and his children and grandchildren. These are amongst his fondest memories.

During these travels, John had the fortune of learning snorkeling and Scuba diving. Through his travels, he has not only transferred this love to his children John and Kristen, but to his grandchildren Johnny, Jack, Julia and James as well. The sensation of being on a speeding dive boat heading offshore with John is something they all cherish.

Another passion of John’s was running. Be it around the neighborhood, when traveling for work or with friends in organized 10k’s his running sneakers were always with him. For all the time he spent running, the time he spent running with his daughter, Kristen was his favorite.

When John wasn’t on a plane, train or boat, he reverted back to his roots and was just as happy tinkering around the house, listening to music, reading his favorite NY Times or maintaining the nicest yard on the block. Once his kids were married, it meant more projects for him to happily take on.

Predeceased by his parents John R. and Katherine (Burda) Driska; he is survived by his wife, Sandra L. Driska of Cranbury; his son and daughter-in-law, John and Sheila Driska of Summit; his daughter and son-in-law, Kristen and Kurt Ebner of Short Hills, NJ; his brother, Steven Driska of Colorado Springs, CO; and his grandchildren the “4 J’s”, Johnny, Jack, Julia, and James.

Cremation was private with a Memorial Mass and Celebration of Life Services to be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in John’s memory to CUREPSP by visiting www.psp.org

Arrangements are under the direction of the A.S. Cole Son & Co., 22 North Main Street, Cranbury, NJ.