John Soares died Dec. 12, 2011, in Hackensack University Medical Center. He was 82. Visiting is on Friday from 4 to 9 p.m. at the Armitage and Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Dr., Kearny, N.J. Mass is on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in St. Stephen’s Church. Entombment is in Holy Cross Cemetery.

To leave online condolences, please visit www.armitagewiggins.com. Born in Portugal, John lived in Newark, N.J., before moving to Kearny, N.J., 55 years ago. He was the owner and president of Kessler Associates Prosthetics in East Orange, N.J. As a member of the US Army, he proudly served at Walter Reed Hospital during the Korean War. He received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association for his outstanding work in the development of prosthetics. He was a member of the Bergen County Water Fowlers and Ducks Unlimited. In addition to his passion for hunting, he enjoyed his membership at Kings Court. The husband of the late Teresa, John is survived by his children and their spouses, Lu Ann and Joseph Silveri, Lisa and Richard Roman and Anthony Soares. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Lauren, Lindsay and Joey Silveri, and Ricky, Alyssa and John Roman. In lieu of flowers, kindly make a donation to Little People of America, 250 El Camino Real, Suite 201 Tustin, Calif. 92780.