John F. Born

John Francis Born, of Absecon, died peacefully at his home on February 16, 2015. He was born September 25, 1924 in Atlantic City, the first child of John and Alberta (Hiltner) Born. He attended St. Nicholas grade school in Atlantic City and graduated from Holy Spirit High School in 1942. Following service in WWII, he graduated from the Drexel Institute of Technology (now Drexel University) in 1952 with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering.

He served in the United States Navy during WWII, from 1943-1946, as a Petty Officer, with duties including Aerial Gunner and Aviation Radioman Second Class. He joined the Atlantic City Electric Company in 1950, embarking on a long career with the company that ultimately saw him elevated to Vice President, a position he held from 1976 until 1986, when he retired.

An accomplished leader at the Electric Company, a skilled photographer and bookmaker, a published railroad historian, an incredibly detailed family historian, he seemed good at whatever he chose to pursue. He was smart, measurably and palpably; sensible and restrained; intellectually curious; and brilliantly capable of sizing up any project — and both sides of any dispute.

With the Electric Company, charged with heading a division comprising nearly half the company’s employees, he spearheaded numerous organizational successes during a time of enormous upheaval within the industry. Atlantic City Electric emerged from that era of uncertainty among public utilities as one of the Northeast region’s most stable and forward-thinking entities. Yet throughout an illustrious professional career, Dobb — as he was known to many — invariably took the greatest pleasure in his family and his seemingly limitless friendships. There was always an unassuming but profound joy in his spirit, all the more so when the great happiness of the moment was yours. To those who knew him, and there were many, he will be best remembered for his unmitigated kindness, a spirit that embraced everyone and everything around him without judgment.

He married Frances Hiltebrand of Atlantic City on September 10, 1942. Together they had three sons: John F. of Mays Landing; Thomas E. (Mara) of Tuckerton; and Matthew J. (Diana) of Glenside, PA. He is survived by his brother, Edward Born, and his three sons along with six grandchildren: Jonathan Edward Born (Kimberly), Christopher Adrian Born (Rachel), Daniela Celia McCarthy, nee Born (Ryan), Joanna Marie Born, Stefan Thomas Born, and Augustus Francis Born. He is also survived by two great granddaughters, Isabella Sophia Born and Lilliana Noelle Born. He is preceded in death by his wife, Frances (2012) and his brother Raymond Born (2009).

A viewing will take place at 11AM, Tuesday, February 24 at St. Nicholas of Tolentine, 1409 Pacific Ave., Atlantic City, NJ. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 12PM, following the viewing. Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in Mays Landing. The family suggests in lieu of flowers a donation be made to the church of St. Nicholas or to a charity of one’s choice. For online condolences, please visit www.parselsfh.com.