On January 21,2016 in this Jubilee Year of Mercy another door has opened for John Joseph Michael Ganger.  John was born October 25, 1928 in the Bronx, New York to Louisa Hodl & Rupert Ganger. After the death of Louisa in 1934 Teresia Lorenz married his father.

He was sworn into the United States Army the morning of June 28, 1946 and graduated Samuel Gompers Vocational High School that evening. After an Honorable discharge he returned home to New York where he was employed by New York Telephone Company.  He was a parishioner of St Brendan Catholic Church, Brooklyn, NY    where he was an Usher, a member of the Holy Name Society, Boy Scout volunteer, and annual Bazaar worker.

After 37 faithful years with the phone company John retired to Hampton, Virginia. He was a parishioner at Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Churches, 4thDegree Knight of Columbus, a member of the American Legion, Communication Workers of America,the Pioneers NY Telephone and Our Lady's Rosary Makers.

John is known as "The Rosary Man" by many adults and even more children. He devoted more than 25 years making, distributing,and teaching The Rosary. His Rosaries have reached thousands of people around the world.

John is survived by Bridget Ryan Ganger, his wife of 63 years. Eight children: Kevin (Susan)Ganger, Kathleen (Steve)Trimmer, Mary Alice(Bill) Raftice, and Patricia (Steve)Schrader. 20 grandchildren Ryan, Tim, and Scott Ganger; Sarabeth Hagen, Amanda and Sami Trimmer; Bill, Kevin, Patrick, Christopher, Timmy, and Caitlin Raftice; Stephen, Caitlin, John, Amy, Mary & Tony (Burke), Thomas and Michael Schrader. 3 Greats Timothy James(TJ) Hagen Warmack, Penny & Genevieve Schrader, and Baby Boy Burke due in June; Brothers and sister In-law Larry, Thomas & Susan Ryan. He was preceded in death by his son John T, infant daughter Anastasia and sister Elsie Marie.

Visitation will be held Tuesday January 26, 3:30pm to 6:00 pm at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, 100 Harpersville Rd, in Newport News.  The Holy Rosary will be prayed at 10:00 am Wednesday January 27 at St Vincent DePaul Catholic Church, 230 33rd St Newport News.  Immediately following, a Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30.  Interment with military honors will be in Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Food Pantry of St. Vincent de Paul or the Pregnancy Outreach at Our Lady of Mount Carmel.