John Hannan Mead, 90, of Cape May, N.J., passed away peacefully on Feb. 6, 2025, fulfilling his goal of “living to ninety.”
Born in Bridgeton, N.J., and living much of his life in his beloved Avalon, John was a man of wisdom, service, and had a deep love for both his community and the outdoors.
John earned his Bachelor of Arts from Washington College in 1956 and his Juris Doctorate from Rutgers University in 1959.
He was admitted to the New Jersey Bar in 1960, launching a lengthy and distinguished career including being admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1966.
John served as a judge on several courts, always committed to fairness and integrity. He also proudly served as a Marine Reservist, embodying the values of discipline and service throughout his life.
Beyond his legal work, John was a pillar of the community. He served as Director and Chairman of the Board of Sturdy Savings Bank, President of the Cape May County Chamber of Commerce, and President of the Rotary Club of Cape May. One of his service highlights was working with the Cape May County Vocational School.
His dedication to civic engagement reflected his strong belief in giving back to the community he cherished.
John’s heart was most at home on the water. He loved clamming, fishing and captaining his beloved boats, including the Mary (named after his mother), the SeaGal and The Helmsman (both tributes to his wife, Fern).
He earned his Captain’s License from the U.S. Coast Guard in 2007. From the early days of their marriage, Fern recalled getting up early and heading out crossing the bar to get a jump on their other fisher-friends.
Their cryptic chatter on the marine radio revealed their arrival to a fishing sweet-spot first, while not divulging their whereabouts. John’s love of fishing ran deep, and he was one of the key drivers behind the Avalon Sport Fishing Center becoming a reality.
He was also an avid hunter, enjoying adventures with his friends and family, once even traveling all the way to Alaska to bag an elk. During the fall, he loved to go turkey, duck and goose hunting and relatedly, had a passion for collecting waterfowl decoys.
When not working or enjoying the outdoors, John was a die-hard fan of Philadelphia sports teams, especially the Phillies and the Eagles whose games he rarely missed. He loved to read and could frequently be found behind the pages of a new detective or crime novel.
Above all, John treasured his family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Fern Harriet Helms Mead. Fern and John were inseparable during their 60 years of marriage, choosing to work together to build his law practice that flourished in Cape May.
His son, John Mead Jr., who has a passion for the water and fishing like his father, returned home to aid his father as his health declined over the last five years. John Sr. recently paid him a loving tribute by saying, “I don’t know what I did to deserve a son like you.”
He also leaves behind his cherished nieces and nephew, Alexandria Gotthard, Jeanine Williams, Nicole Voit Ford, Suzanne Haggerty and Edward Haggerty, who will carry forward Uncle John’s stories and legacy. His sister Mary Ann Campbell (Mead) and her husband Walter as well as John Jr.’s fiancée Kelly Mead preceded him in death.
A service to honor John’s remarkable life will be held on Thursday, February 20, at Radzieta Funeral Home, 9 Hand Ave. in Cape May Court House. Viewing will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. with the service immediately following at 11 a.m.
The family wishes to express sincere gratitude to Jefferson Audiology Philadelphia and Fresenius Medical Care North Cape May.
John will be remembered for his love of the outdoors, unwavering dedication to his friends and community, and his steadfast character and devotion to his family. His family and friends will forever hold him in their hearts, grateful for the time they had with him. Condolences at radzieta.com.