John's life as told by his mother, Eileen Kostic

John was born on November 29, 1984 at 9:50am at Burlington Memorial Hospital in Mt. Holly, New Jersey. Arriving three weeks late, John was perfectly healthy and beautiful.

Our blonde hair, brown eyed baby grew nicely. He wished for a baby sister or brother and on June 17, 1988, Emily was born. John used to rush home from school to play with Emily. He would always say, “I love you Mom but I love Em more.”

At the age of 4, John was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes. He was insulin dependent often requiring several shots a day. John was very diligent monitoring his blood sugar, his diet and was in excellent health. His numbers were under control and he NEVER complained about being diabetic. John felt that everyone had something and he made managing his diabetes a part of his daily routine.

John loved to play with his toys: Lincoln logs, tinker toys, Ninja turtles, and eventually G.I. Joes, Transformers and Star Wars. John knew everything there was to know about Star Wars. He collected Star War figures and had every movie in his collection. His friends say that John felt that the first movie was the best and it set the groundwork for the others. John collected, bought and sold toys on E Bay. It was one of his hobbies.

John was an obedient child with a great imagination and thirst for learning. He especially loved math and science in school. In the second grade, John was selected for the ACE Program at Delran Township Schools. This is a program for gifted students that requires students to take on additional assignments outside of their normal classroom responsibilities. John loved the ACE Program, the trips the students took and the activities that they participated in. John was in this program from 2nd through 8th grade and was one of two students to receive the ACE Award at 8th grade graduation.

John was baptized at Church of the Holy Name in Delran, NJ in January 1985. He made his First Holy Communion in May 1992 and began serving as an altar boy from third through eighth grades. In high school, John helped with fund raising at the Church. His faith was important to him.

Like most youngsters, John enjoyed playing sports especially baseball and soccer. He played baseball for six years and he played soccer from Kindergarten through Freshman Year at high school. During high school, John become a soccer referee for the United States Soccer Federation.

John played saxophone from 4th through 8th grade along with playing the piano. Although John did well with these instruments, John decided that upon going into high school he would become involved in other areas.

In the summer between his sophomore and junior year, John volunteered at the Cinnaminson Library. In the fall of junior year, John was hired by the Library as a page. He worked there for his junior and senior years.

During his years at Delran High School, John was a member of the National Honor Society, Treasurer of the NHS in Senior Year, Vice-President of the French Club, Tutor in French, member of the Interact Club and Environmental Club, and coordinator of the American Red Cross Blood Drive.

John was selected in junior year to represent his school at Boys’ State. This was held in June 2002 at Rider University. John loved this program. He enjoyed learning about government and ran for an office. He came home inspired to become more involved in community.

John never took the easy route. In high school he took the most difficult courses either Honor courses or Advanced Placement courses. In senior year I insisted that he not take so many Advanced Placement courses because I felt that he was putting too much pressure on himself. John always worked for the A and in most cases achieved it. If he missed it by a point or two, he would be upset with himself. He was ambitious and eager and sought excellence in everything he did.

Upstanding, loyal, trustworthy and kind, that describes John. John was by the book. He was always a few minutes early, didn’t break laws, bend rules or give excuses. He was responsible and exhibited integrity in everything he did. John was not a push over. If John believed in something he would analyze it and explain in detail why he believed something. John graduated from his high school with a 4.1 GPA and he ranked 9th out of 184 students. He was a Bloustein Scholar and received the Presidential Scholarship to Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ.

John was excited about going off to college. Because of his love of Mathematics, an area where he excelled, John majored in Actuarial Science. He later decided to double major in Actuarial Science and Finance. At Rider, John immediately became involved in the Resident Life Association, later became a Resident Advisor, Eucharistic Minister for Catholic Campus Ministry at Rider, a member of the Finance Board and a brother of Sigma Phi Epsilon.

On Friday, November 18, 2005, John had class in the morning. He had lunch at Rider with a few friends and then headed to Target to buy Diet Coke and snacks. While on his way back to Rider, while stopped in traffic, John was rear-ended by a tractor trailer. The truck then hit two other trucks and two more cars. John was the only fatality. John was intelligent, ambitious and religious. His life involved family, friends and faith. On November 18, 2005, the world lost an outstanding human being and heaven gained an angel.