Port Norris Legends

For any questions please send us a email. Click Here.
We will get back to you as soon as possible.

Legends of Port Norris

Back to Legends of Port Norris

John Edward Laws
b. November 7, 1936 d. August 21, 2021

Portr Norris Historical Society

Portr Norris Historical Society

Portr Norris Historical Society

Portr Norris Historical Society

Portr Norris Historical Society
PNHS Dinner December 2, 2012

John E. Laws

JOHN EDWARD LAWS 84, of Dividing Creek, NJ passed away on Saturday August 21, 2021 after a brief illness. Born in Bridgeton to the late Edward O. and Marion Fleetwood Laws. A graduate of Bridgeton High School class of 1954 and a 1956 graduate of Spring Garden Institute of PA. John enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1958 for two years. After the service he went to work for his father at Laws & Henderson in Port Norris. Later in years he took over the business with Henry Taylor Sr. Laws & Taylor which eventually became Laws & Laws retiring in 2005. 
John lived in Dividing Creek all his life and was a member of the Dividing Creek Baptist Church. John was an active member of the Dividing Creek Fire Company since a teenager. He served as their Chief for many years and as a Commissioner for many years. 

John retired from working as Cumberland County Fire Coordinator for 28 years. He handled 579 fire calls during his tenure. 

He was chosen Fireman of the Year in 1983 and 2010. He served as Past President and Treasurer of the Cumberland County Fireman’s Association. He served as President of the Cumberland County Fire Chief’s Association in 1974, He was a life member of the Cumberland County Fire Chief’s Association and NJ Fireman’s Relief Association. John looked forward to having breakfast Friday mornings with the “Old Firefighters Breakfast Chub”. He was a member of the Dividing Creek Cemetery Association. John was an active resident who helped save their local Post Office. He also wrote two books “History of Little Italy” and “80 Years of Memories with my 1938 International Fire Truck”. 

John is survived by his wife Janice Gandy; his children Paul of IL, Paula Dixon (David) of Millville, Linda Smith (Lee) Bridgeton. He was known as Pop to Donald Harris, Jr. (Lil) of VA, Butch Harris (Charlene) of Glassboro, Frank Harris, Sr. (Susan) of Centerton, Mark Harris, Sr. (Donna) of Newport. John was a wonderful Pop pop to fifteen grandchildren and twenty six great grandchildren and several cousins, nieces and nephews. John loved his pet cat “Pumpkin”. John was predeceased by his parents Edward and Marion Laws; his first wife Peggy Tribbett, brother Dave Laws and step son Jeffrey Harris. 


Portr Norris Historical Society

Viewings will be held at the Pancoast Funeral Home 676 S. Main Rd. Vineland, NJ on Thursday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 PM and Friday morning from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. A funeral service will be held Friday at 11:00 AM at the funeral home. 
Interment will be in Dividing Creek Baptist Cemetery. 

Memorial donations may be made to the Dividing Creek Baptist Church P.O. Box 94 or the Dividing Creek Fire Company P.O. Box 93 Dividing Creek, NJ 08315.