New Jersey Public Health Association

John Carlano, H.O.
"Mr. Public Health"

1927 – 2002

John's trumpet, awards, hat and trumpet case

John Carlano was one of the greatest individuals that I have ever met. I actually met John for the first time after he retired from being the health officer in Franklin Township. I never saw a person work so hard after they retired. Each day he would get up and spend most his day with his wonderful wife Jacqueline (Jackie) helping out almost every non-profit organization that was dedicated to making this world a better place. John touched so many lives; I thank God that he touched mine.

John was a mentor to me; teaching me about public health from the grass roots and the front lines. John had a special way of bringing people together to work for the public good. I was First Vice President when John was President of the New Jersey Public Health Association. He was one of the organization’s greatest Presidents. He focused on “prevention” as his public health passion and produced some of the most outstanding public health conferences that the NJPHA has ever seen. John was the first individual to become the Chairman of the Executive Board of the NJPHA and served as mentor to those who were new to the organization. John was also a humble man and would let others take the “glory” he just wanted to improve the public health of New Jersey and worked tirelessly doing it. He received NJPHA's highest award: the Sullivan Award.

At the same time during his retirement John became chairman of the Northwest Chapter of the March of Dimes; the Somerset County freeholders appointed John to the Somerset County Advisory Council on Aging; Governor Thomas Kean appointed John to the New Jersey Clean Air Council; John was elected president of the New Jersey Health Officers Association and founded the Marconi Foundation. He received numerous awards from the many organizations he served including the “Volunteer of the Year” award the Franklin Township Chamber of Commerce: a township that he served and lived his entire life in.

A grade school teacher approached John at a NJPHA conference and thanked John for speaking to her class about public health. She said that her students learned a lot from him and called him “Mr. Public Health.” I actually think that described my long-time friend and mentor. He was a tremendous help to me and the thousands of other lives that he touched. We will never forget him, “Mr. Public Health.”

Dr. Jim Brown,
Chairperson, NJPHA Executive Board
and former president NJPHA (1994-1995)

John Carlano Obituary

John Carlano
1927-2002

John Carlano, 74, died Sunday, Dec. 1, 2002, at his residence in Somerset.

John was born in 1927. He spent his entire lifetime in Franklin, where he lived with his wife of 51 years, Jacqueline (Zalesky). He was the father of John Jr. of Philadelphia, Mary Ann Carlano of Santa Fe, N.M., and Joan Rossmann of Albrightsville, Pa. He is also survived by his brother, William Carlano of California; his sisters, Lucy Scofield of Bridgewater and Anita Hargis of California, and three grandchildren, Christin Carlano, Zachary Rossmann and Chloe Rossmann.

In his youth, he attended Franklin Public Elementary Schools and later New Brunswick High School, where he attended the 40th reunion of his graduating class. John attended Rutgers University and received his bachelor of science degree in social sciences and management in 1951. He also attended graduate school of Columbia University and Rutgers Graduate School of Education. John was employed as the Franklin Township health officer, retiring in 1985. During his tenure as chairman of the Northwest Chapter of the March of Dimes, a grant was obtained for the Somerset County Visiting Nurse Association to address the problem of teen-age pregnancy. John was quoted in local papers as having said, “The goal of the program is to improve maternal and infant health in the adolescent population through education, counseling and health promotion. Focusing on reaching young women early in their pregnancies, through programs such as this, we hope to improve the outcome of pregnancy for all the unborn.”

John’s sensitive recognition of senior citizens’ needs resulted in an entire preventive care system for the elderly which includes provisions for flu and pneumonia vaccinations, hypertension and cancer screening, as well as nutritional counseling. In so doing, John had developed strong ties with the Somerset County Office on Aging, area physicians and hospitals. Due to his well-known efforts, Somerset County freeholders appointed John to the Somerset County Advisory Council on Aging. John’s concern for the environment was recognized by Gov. Thomas Kean when John was appointed to the New Jersey Clean Air Council. Cook College and the Middle States Air Pollution Control Association echoed support for John when he was presented with the Distinguished Service Award for his work in air pollution control. In 1980, John received a Plaque of Appreciation from the New Jersey Lions at its convention in Cherry Hill. At the same time, the Franklin Township Lions said it best: “Your dedicated devotion and concern for the health of the citizens of Franklin Township and your leadership as president of the State Health Officers Association merit you this coveted award.”

John had served on many committees and held offices in both the New Jersey Public Health Association and the New Jersey Health Officers Association. Most notably, John was elected president of the New Jersey Health Officers Association in 1979. It was during his presidency that the N.J. Health Officers Association received a national Outstanding Service Award from the American Cancer Society. As president, he also initiated the first awards ceremony at the League of Municipalities Convention, a function which has blossomed into the association’s annual Awards Luncheon at the convention. John’s special quality was his ability to promote prevention and public health in a uniquely attentive fashion. His support of local health agencies made him a great leader in the partnership with the State Department of Health to promote a healthier New Jersey. John was a longtime advocate of better relations between local and state health officials. “I applaud the recent partnership for health initiative put forth by the state. The joint administration of the $35,000 continuing education grant with the New Jersey Health Officers Association was a giant step forward.” Needless to say, John’s input was instrumental in bringing this program about. John’s awards also include an honorary membership to Somerset Station 25 Community Volunteer Company No. 1, where he annually played taps on his trumpet every Memorial Day. John’s avocation and second love was as a trumpet player in the various bands since playing in the Navy Band during World War II. Somehow mingled with all the other activities, John found time to play the trumpet regularly, to which his neighbors would attest.

The Franklin Township Chamber of Commerce honored John with the “Volunteer of the Year” award in 1993. The Somerset County Action Program recognized John in 2001 with the Board Trustee Award. In his later years, John was very active in the Marconi Foundation in Franklin Township. John was president of the Marconi Foundation from 1992 to 2001. He was awarded the Marconi Foundation Founders Award on April 26, 2002.

Over 150 attended John's memorial service held January 8, 2003 at McAteer's Restaurant.

He wanted the people who loved him to gather and have a good time celebrating his life and not to dwell on mouring the loss. It was a wonderful time of music, dancing and celebrating our friendship with John.

Individual Stories of
Why People Chose Public Health as a Career