John M. Klett also known as Grandpa John by many, beloved in New Hyde, who served as a Memorial Park attendant for over a decade in the village, passed away on Sunday Sept. 28.
A tree will be planted and a plaque will be installed at Memorial Park in John’s honor at this park that he loved so much.
Born April 18, 1927 the youngest of twins by five minutes. They were born to Elizabeth and Martin Klett in Queens Village, he had three siblings his twin brother Martin an older sister Betty and younger sister Dorothy.
He was a rambunctious child by all accounts. John graduated from Jamaica High School in 1945 and he left school early to enlist with his twin brother Martin in the United States Navy. He was assigned to the USS Jack W. Wilke DE -800 from 8/10/44 to 6/19/1946. He was a petty officer electricians mate.
After he left the Navy he went to work in a book bindery company where he met the love of his life and who would soon become his wife, Anne. John and
Anne were married for 52 years. He then left the book bindery company and worked in the U.S. Post Office, until he started his career with the New York City
Fire department in 1/16/1952 he retired as a captain 12/19/79.
During the time as a firefighter they bought a house in Queens Village where they had three children Martin, Marian and Michael. They then quickly outgrew their first house and moved to New Hyde Park in 1959. There they had two more boys Mark and Matthew.
He had 10 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. But in reality he had hundreds of grandchildren any child whoever met him called him Grandpa John.
After his wife died in 2000, he worked for the Village of New Hyde Park as a park attendee and filled his days volunteering and helping other or babysitting his grand or great grand children.
Klett served as a Cub Scout Leader for Pack 489 and Troop 298. He also served as a PTA officer, little league coach and heavily involved in the Police Boy Club.
Klett served on the local Republican club, volunteered and read to elementary school kids at New Hyde Park Road School, received the Prestige’s SCOPE Award for volunteering in 2013 and he loved to dance.
Even in death, he believed in service as he donated his body to the Hofstra Medical School so others could learn.
