Johnny L Nesmith

Johnny L. Nesmith was born on August 16, 1956, in Hemingway, SC to Betty and John S. Nesmith. His parents attended Battery Park School, Hemingway, SC. They moved to Harlem and later to Brooklyn, NY. Johnny and his family attended Little Widows Mite Baptist Church where Reverend Roosevelt Cooper was the pastor. At Little Widows Mite Baptist Church, John learned about the goodness of our Lord and Savior. Johnny attended Canarsie High School and excelled in basketball and track and field. John graduated in 1975, later earning a degree from DeVry Technical Institute, Woodbridge, NJ. In August 1982, Johnny met and fell in love with his soulmate, Caroline Sims. On July 23, 1983, they were married and moved to Newark and Irvington, NJ before settling down in Union, NJ. In Union, Johnny and Caroline raised their three sons. Johnny spent the majority of his professional career working in the Life Safety industry. He began his career with Edwards Fire and Alarm Safety. In 1988, after years in the industry, Johnny along with his business partner, Dennis DeCarlo, took a leap of faith to start their own business. Metro Fire & Communications Systems, Inc., (Bloomfield, NJ) was his lifelong dream. They started Metro Fire with a five-thousand-dollar initial investment and turned it into one of the most prominent and respected businesses in the Northeast. Johnny was an active member of the local sports community. He was a mentor, coach, and a father figure to everyone. Johnny’s enthusiasm about sports could not be contained. You could always find John at one of his son’s games. He was a quiet observer, providing his love and support. In his leisure time, he was an avid music listener and even was a DJ in his younger days. Though John was an active member of the community and lover of music, he loved nothing more than spending time with family and friends. Johnny found joy in making other people happy. John was the oldest grandchild to William and Olease Scott. As the oldest grandchild, he had a lot of responsibility. During the good and the bad times, John always assured the family that everything was going to be alright. John was the backbone of the family and he will be truly missed. Johnny L. Nesmith peacefully transitioned on October 24, 2020, in Summit, New Jersey at the age of 64. Left to cherish his memories are his wife, Caroline L. Nesmith, three sons, Darren Nesmith (Isabella), Lebanon, PA, Dwayne Nesmith (Claire), Union, NJ, and Dion Nesmith (Demi), Miami, FL. Four grandchildren, Darren Jr., (DJ), Dalissa, Francesca, and Antonina. Three brothers, Curtis Nesmith (Safiya), Croton on Hudson, NY, and Rickey Nesmith (Pamela) Union, NJ, brother-in-law Arnold Rich, Bronx, NY, sister, Stephanie Nesmith, Atlantic City, NJ, and family Matriarch Janie Nesmith, Bronx, NY. He leaves behind a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends that will greatly miss him. He is preceded in death by his parents John S. Nesmith and Betty Nesmith. Johnny had a big heart and loved to give. In lieu of donations, the Nesmith family is requesting that you support the American Diabetes Association in the name of Johnny L. Nesmith. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the employees of Metro Fire & Communications Systems Inc., his personal physicians, the medical staff at Overlook Hospital, and his business partner and professional associates.