John Matthew Klaus

Klaus, John Matthew "Klondike", 73, passed away October 6, 2023. John was born on December 4, 1949 in St. Albans Naval Hospital, Queens, Long Island NY. His father was George, a retired Captain of the U.S. Navy, and his mother was Katie, nee Tyyne Rinta. Along with his brother George Junior and Aunt Gertrude Rinta, they made up the Klaus family of 140 Mill Dam Road in Centerport, New York. John was a star athlete at Harborfields High School in Greenlawn New York, who won 12 varsity letters in football, baseball and basketball for the Tornadoes. His youthful summers were spent digging clams, riding boats, and going to beaches in Long Island. He attended Alfred University from 1968 to 1972 and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. At Alfred, John developed his lifelong love of music, and became a local disk jockey of regional renown, Klondike Klaus and his Golden Oldies. He was a founding member of the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity at Alfred, and also helped establish Hot Dog Day, still an annual University holiday. Like his father, John spent the majority of his working years with Grumman Aircraft on Long Island (later Northrop Grumman). He was a career contract administrator for Grumman who played an important role in the country’s defense, providing the Navy with various aircraft and related components, including the F-14. John worked 39 years for Grumman. In 1977, John married the love of his life, Susan Podlewski, who quickly became the Brains of the Family. They spent the last 35 years at their home in West Babylon. John loved Sue, the sun, sand, and beaches, Aruba, the Yankees, Islanders and Jets, dogs Hattie and Summer, his pool, and playing cards and jokes on their friends. Above all, he loved making people happy, and providing a lifetime of good times for all he knew. John will be sorely missed by his wife Sue, his brother George and George’s wife Karen, brother-in-law Billy Podlewski, nieces and nephews Sarah, Emily, Gretchen, David and George, and the whole extended Klaus and Podlewski Families. Go in peace Klondike, you’ve earned your rest, but hearts will ache and smiles will rise when you are remembered by your family and many friends in life. The family will receive visitors Thursday, October 12th, 2-4 & 7-9 pm at Arthur F. White Funeral Home, Inc., 315 Conklin Street, Farmingdale. Family and friends gathering Friday, October 13th, 9 am-11 am at the funeral home. Funeral Service Friday, October 13th, 11 am at the funeral home. Cremation private.

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