Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) John Thomas Trambley (U.S. Army, Retired), 92, St. Marys

Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) John Thomas Trambley (U.S. Army, Retired), 92, of Bayonne, NJ, passed away peacefully among family in Washington, D.C., on March 8, 2025, following a brief illness.

Born in Saint Marys, PA, on December 27, 1932, to the late, Elk-County-PA Judge J. L. Trambley and Louise “Lula” Mulhern Trambley, John was raised mostly in Johnsonburg, PA, but also in St. Marys, where his Grandfather Mulhern was general superintendant of the Pittsburgh, Shawmut and Northern Railroad. John graduated from the Holy Rosary Grade School, the Johnsonburg High School on First Avenue, and Duquesne University in Pittsburgh with a degree in Political Science.

His 40-year Army career included service in Korea and Vietnam, and his decorations include the Bronze Star.

A confirmed bachelor, John was quick to quote an old military saying, “If the Army had wanted me to have a wife, they’d have issued me one.”

John served as Commander of the Lafayette Amvets Post 33 of Jersey City and volunteered as a wounded-veteran visitor. He traveled extensively, especially to locations of historical significance, and was an avid reader, particularly of military history and current events. He loved both Classical and Drum-and-Bugle-Corps music. John traveled alongside and was an enthusiastic booster of local-to-national corps. Among others, he sponsored the Cadets team based in Bergenfield, NJ.

He also loved good company, good conversation, and excellent food, prompting him to become a dedicated morning walker. He remained devoted to Johnsonburg, where he often visited and was a great supporter, especially of the recent, Historic-District restoration.

His memberships included—Ancient Order of Hibernians (an Irish-Catholic fraternal organization founded concurrently in the coal-mining region of Pennsylvania and NYC, in 1836, with the motto “Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity”); Boy Scouts of America; BPOElks Lodge 612; The American Legion Post 501; The Piedmont Club; and, The Central Hose Hall.

He will be missed by many who knew and loved him, his stories, generous and kind nature, happy habit of obscene overtipping, and one-liners. As he grew into older age, when asked “How are you?” John replied, “Not ill enough to excite an undertaker.” (credit to Mark Twain)

In addition to his family, John will be missed by his excellent friends and neighbors in Elk County, PA, and in NJ, especially his great friends in Bayonne, including Ozzie, Louise, and Majesty, and the ladies at The Astor Bar.

John was a loving and dedicated friend and family member. He was fondly referred to as “the Major” by many and as “Uncle John” by his 7 nieces, his nephew, and his 9 grand nieces and nephews. When the older kids were younger, their Uncle John enjoyed calling them “F Troop,” referring to the 1960s TV show about a bumbling-but-loveable bunch of soldiers out west in the 1860s.

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his Stepmother Grace Mulhern Furlong Trambley, his brother Attorney Anthony “Tony” Trambley, and his sister Mary Trambley Schreiber.

He is survived by his sister Mrs. Linda Trambley Levine, of New York City, and his sister-in-law Mrs. Judith VanSlander Trambley of St. Marys, PA, and Arvada, CO. He is also survived by the following nieces and nephews—Lisa Schreiber (Randle), of Austin, TX, her husband George, and her children Cameron and Parisa Shapoorian; Megan Schreiber-Carter, of Johnsonburg and Westerly, RI, her husband Thomas, and their daughter Vaulx; Sara Schreiber-Blitte, of Washington D.C., her husband Erik, and her stepson Dakota; Christian Trambley of Phoenix, AZ; Melissa Trambley Rader, of Golden, CO, her husband Dave, and their children Jacob and Avery; Kathleen Trambley of Arvada, CO; Karen Levine Tanco, of NYC, her husband Domingo, and their son Sammy; and, Eva Levine Burt, of NYC, her husband Geoff, and their children Joseph Norman and Sarah.

Final arrangements include a Bayonne, NJ, celebration of John’s life and a graveside service at the convenience of the family. John will be laid to rest with his family at the Saint Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Saint Marys, PA.