John M. Kaelberer, 87, Sarasota, Fla., died Sept. 8, 2011. Born on Sept. 12, 1923, in Newark, N.J., John earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in civil engineering from Newark College of Engineering after serving for three years in the U.S. Army in Europe during World War II.

John spent his entire civil engineering career with the Port Authority of New York and New Jerey in the construction of various facilities, including the third tube of the Lincoln Tunnel, expansion of Newark Liberty Airport in the 1950s and the construction of the PATH subway terminal at Journal Square in the late '70s. He was also chief engineer of construction for marine terminal facilities prior to his retirement in 1980.

Throughout his career, John lived in New Jersey, first in Cranford, then in Roselle Park and Bernardsville, before retiring to Sarasota, Fla. He was a member of the Bird Key Yacht Club and volunteered at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

John was predeceased by his wife, Eileen. He is survived by his son, Michael of Truro, Mass.; daughter, Lisa of Sarasota, Fla. and grandson, Kyle of Southwick, Mass., as well as a niece and several nephews. Toale Brothers Funeral Home, Colonial Chapel, Sarasota, Fla., is in charge.

Inurnment will be private at a later date in Westfield, N.J. If you would like to make a donation in his honor, please consider Tidewell Hospice of Sarasota.

Published in Star-Ledger on September 16, 2011