I'm still trying to hunt Johnny Cox down. No-one seems to have any idea where he wound up or what he did. Even more curiously, no-one knows how he died. It's been forty seven years since I've seen or heard from him. If anyone out there has any information, it would be dearly appreciated. Sincerely, Phil Larson
John worked for many years in the banking business in NYC. When his father became quite ill, he quit the NYC scene and stayed home to care for his dad in Short Hills. He also worked from home at international investments. When his dad passed away, he sold the Short HIlls house and moved into his Lake Hopatcong home. Some of us who visited there often will remember it as a former campsite, with outdoor pavillion kitchen and a guest cabin near the main house.
John became quite ill himself, moved to Texas to be near his brother, and later passed away, in the early 90's, I believe it was. He cherished his privacy and chose to be somewhat of a recluse near the end. He was a good man, a good friend, and we enjoyed his dry sense of humor. John loved to relive the memories of school years.
Thanks for that, Carol. I had no idea what had become of Johnny. He and I were good friends in grade school but in junior and senior high drifted apart. I remember well their home in Short Hills and the Lake Hopatcong house which I visited twice as a child. His dad had, as I recall, a Lyman outboard with a big 1940 something Evinrude which he took us out in on a crisp Columbus Day weekend Saturday morning - beautiful indelible memory. His older brother was a big country western fan in those days and would play that stuff over and over - Roy Acuff's "Sixteen chickens in a tamborine" and Gogi Grant's "The Wayward Wind" come to mind. I remember Christmas shopping with the Coxes at Two Guys probably around 1954 and buying my mother a vegetable peeler there for the fantastic price of $.17! God knows why I thought a vegetable peeler would do the trick. Haven't thought of that in probably 50 years. We spent hours in the Hartshorn arboretum near his home getting home often well after dark to the normal parental wrath. Great memories with a good guy.
Thanks so much for bringing a finish to my quest to find Johnny Cox. I also spent many, many hours at his lake house. The Lyman boat brings back some wonderful memories. We were almost joined at the hip during HS. I can't remember going out on the weekends without him being with me. We shared a ride to HS every day of the week for our last two years there.
It brings a little tear to my eyes thinking about him. The fun we had is written deaply in my mind. Losing him when I went to college was sad but part of growing up. How sad to hear about his moving to Texas. I wonder what happened to the lake home.
I guess it's the part of life I really don't enjoy. Thinking of him and Danny Pariso passing is very difficult for me. Only time will help me get used to the idea. Many, many thanks again for helping me understand his life. Phil Larson
As for John's multi-structure lake property - I've been back to the area where I thought his property was located, and, as with many areas we used to remember, it has apparently been torn down and modernized. Hard to place exactly where it was even, due to the many changes around the lake these days. He and his brother sold the property before he moved to Texas to be with his brother and family.
He, Bobby Marshall and Dan and I were close -- hanging out together and talking about the old days often. He was a great "uncle" to our daughter, Danielle. Now they're all hanging out "up there" listening to all those 45 records we used to spin together -- and all are missed by those of us they left.
I'm now remembering that wonderful lake house. When I was there as a young boy of 15 it was old then. His Father had fantastic stories about it during the roaring twenties. They even partook in a mild form of "boot-legging" up and down the lake. He pondered the days when he and friends has to drive an old Packard back to Short Hills that didn't have a clutch. They couldn't stop or it would have stalled!!
I do recall that the inlet was choked with weeds. It became difficult to swim in. Everything about the place had great memories. I'm not surprised about its demise. It sure could have been turned into a wonderful area with some work. When you, Danny, and Bob went there did Johnny still have his Father's antique Chris Craft? I recall he had named it "Scamp." It was always problematic but fast as could be.
Many thanks again for bringing back the memories. Phil Larson
I remember the Chris Craft well. It pulled me up for my first shot at water skiing - and was there to drive me to shore for the beer to bolster my bruised ego at the many failed attempts!
Philip Larson
I'm still trying to hunt Johnny Cox down. No-one seems to have any idea where he wound up or what he did. Even more curiously, no-one knows how he died. It's been forty seven years since I've seen or heard from him. If anyone out there has any information, it would be dearly appreciated. Sincerely, Phil Larson
Carol Cogliati (Pariso)
John worked for many years in the banking business in NYC. When his father became quite ill, he quit the NYC scene and stayed home to care for his dad in Short Hills. He also worked from home at international investments. When his dad passed away, he sold the Short HIlls house and moved into his Lake Hopatcong home. Some of us who visited there often will remember it as a former campsite, with outdoor pavillion kitchen and a guest cabin near the main house.
John became quite ill himself, moved to Texas to be near his brother, and later passed away, in the early 90's, I believe it was. He cherished his privacy and chose to be somewhat of a recluse near the end. He was a good man, a good friend, and we enjoyed his dry sense of humor. John loved to relive the memories of school years.
Carol Pariso
George Gilbert Engler
Thanks for that, Carol. I had no idea what had become of Johnny. He and I were good friends in grade school but in junior and senior high drifted apart. I remember well their home in Short Hills and the Lake Hopatcong house which I visited twice as a child. His dad had, as I recall, a Lyman outboard with a big 1940 something Evinrude which he took us out in on a crisp Columbus Day weekend Saturday morning - beautiful indelible memory. His older brother was a big country western fan in those days and would play that stuff over and over - Roy Acuff's "Sixteen chickens in a tamborine" and Gogi Grant's "The Wayward Wind" come to mind. I remember Christmas shopping with the Coxes at Two Guys probably around 1954 and buying my mother a vegetable peeler there for the fantastic price of $.17! God knows why I thought a vegetable peeler would do the trick. Haven't thought of that in probably 50 years. We spent hours in the Hartshorn arboretum near his home getting home often well after dark to the normal parental wrath. Great memories with a good guy.
Marilyn Gechtman (Weinberg)
Don't feel badly Gil. I remember buying my mother an ice cream scoop in Woolworth's.
Philip Larson
Marylyn and Gil,
Thanks so much for bringing a finish to my quest to find Johnny Cox. I also spent many, many hours at his lake house. The Lyman boat brings back some wonderful memories. We were almost joined at the hip during HS. I can't remember going out on the weekends without him being with me. We shared a ride to HS every day of the week for our last two years there.
It brings a little tear to my eyes thinking about him. The fun we had is written deaply in my mind. Losing him when I went to college was sad but part of growing up. How sad to hear about his moving to Texas. I wonder what happened to the lake home.
I guess it's the part of life I really don't enjoy. Thinking of him and Danny Pariso passing is very difficult for me. Only time will help me get used to the idea. Many, many thanks again for helping me understand his life. Phil Larson
Carol Cogliati (Pariso)
As for John's multi-structure lake property - I've been back to the area where I thought his property was located, and, as with many areas we used to remember, it has apparently been torn down and modernized. Hard to place exactly where it was even, due to the many changes around the lake these days. He and his brother sold the property before he moved to Texas to be with his brother and family.
He, Bobby Marshall and Dan and I were close -- hanging out together and talking about the old days often. He was a great "uncle" to our daughter, Danielle. Now they're all hanging out "up there" listening to all those 45 records we used to spin together -- and all are missed by those of us they left.
Carol Cogliati Pariso
Philip Larson
Carol,
I'm now remembering that wonderful lake house. When I was there as a young boy of 15 it was old then. His Father had fantastic stories about it during the roaring twenties. They even partook in a mild form of "boot-legging" up and down the lake. He pondered the days when he and friends has to drive an old Packard back to Short Hills that didn't have a clutch. They couldn't stop or it would have stalled!!
I do recall that the inlet was choked with weeds. It became difficult to swim in. Everything about the place had great memories. I'm not surprised about its demise. It sure could have been turned into a wonderful area with some work. When you, Danny, and Bob went there did Johnny still have his Father's antique Chris Craft? I recall he had named it "Scamp." It was always problematic but fast as could be.
Many thanks again for bringing back the memories. Phil Larson
Carol Cogliati (Pariso)
I remember the Chris Craft well. It pulled me up for my first shot at water skiing - and was there to drive me to shore for the beer to bolster my bruised ego at the many failed attempts!