SPF History Teacher, Jack Mohn Dies at 83

Jack L. Mohn, a longtime Scotch Plains-Fanwood History teacher and Scotch Plains resident died peacefully on Saturday, May 5, at the age of 83 at the Genesis Health Care Center in Westfield. Mohn, a U.S. Air Force veteran served the students of this community for 36 years.

Mohn was born in Bethel, Pennsylvania but moved to Scotch Plains in 1955 to begin his teaching career and raise his two children, Michael and Sue with his wife, Jeanne. 

After serving in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, Mohn received his Bachelor’s Degree in History from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master’s Degree from Rutgers University. He taught American History at both and s for 36 years before retiring in 1991.

In a beautiful tribute to his father-in-law, Scotch Plains Fire Captain, Brian Mecca remembered Jack as his seventh grade U.S. History teacher who took pride in teaching with action through the use slide presentations, films of Walter Cronkite, or trips to Philadelphia.

“I first met Mr. Mohn (JL to his friends) when I had him as my US history teacher at Terrill Junior High in seventh grade,” Mecca said. “When I picked up Sue for our first date, he said ‘I remember you; you sat in the second seat in the third row’… He lived across the street from Sue and me for the past 30 years. He was always there for us and able to see his grandsons Anthony, Charlie, and Doug every day as they grew up from little babies, to young boys, to men who are now 28, 26, and 22.”

In addition to his cherished legacy as a local educator, Mohn will be remembered as an avid gardener with well-kept lawns and gardens, who could often be spotted at Miele’s Garden Center in Clark, the in Scotch Plains, or caring for his horse, Bunny and his favorite dog, Sharpe.

He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Jeanne; his son, Michael, his wife, Theresa, and their sons Christopher and Andrew; and his daughter, Sue of Scotch Plains, her husband, Brian Mecca, and their sons, Anthony, Charlie, and Doug. 

A service in memory of a life well lived will be held at 5 p.m. on Tuesday at the at 155 South Avenue in Fanwood. Visitation will at the Memorial Funeral Home be from 4 p.m. until time of service. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in his memory to the Wounded Warrior Project or to St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center.