Longtime car owner John George Kozimor Jr., known to his family as friends as Butch, passed away peacefully at the age of 78 on September 10, 2023 at Morristown Medical Center.  Butch owned the 37J, driven by many different drivers.  Driver Ron Harrison recorded his and Butch's only career feature win at Flemington in 1978, the Race of Champions qualifier.

Butch was born on march 19, 1945 in Newton, NJ to the late John George Kozimor Sr and Mary (nee; Ketz)

Butch was a lifelong resident of Vienna, NJ. He graduated from Hackettstown High School and was a member of the 1963 undefeated football team coached by Charles Chot Morrison. This undefeated record still stands today and Butch was very proud to be a part of the team. He went on to further his education and earned his degree as an auto and diesel mechanic at the Tennessee Auto and diesel College. He worked for Garden State Propane which became Synergy Gas where he retired after working there for 20 years. When he left his job he took over running the family gas business at Kozimor’s Garage in Great Meadows where his parents started the business in 1946. and was a Uhaul dealer for over 30 years. Although Butch technically retired, he never stopped working. His love of the garage brought him there every day. He was a man who truly loved what he did and cared about his customers.

Butch had many interests; he was a dog lover, played the accordion in his younger years, a diehard Chevy man and a fan of the Philadelphia Eagles and the Phillies. His passion was race cars, he would build his cars to race on dirt tracks. His car and team that helped his race won first place in the Pocono qualifier at Flemington Race way.

Butch was a devout Catholic who would go to Mass early on Sunday mornings in his work uniform and head to work immediately after mass. He was a private hard working man who loved his family and friends and his Lord. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Butch is survived by his loving brother Raymond Kozimor and his wife Beth, his caring niece and nephews; Heather Bohlke and her husband Ryan, Corey Kozimor, Tyler Kozimor and great-niece Madalyn. He also leaves behind his Uncle Bob.

Family and friends may pay their respects on Thursday, September 14, 2023 from 4-8PM at Maguire-Scala Memorial Home, 124 High Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840.   Funeral service celebrating Butch’s life will be held on Friday, September 15, 2023 at 11:00 AM in the funeral home. Burial will immediately follow at Pequest Union Cemetery in Great Meadows, NJ

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Butch's to your local animal shelter.

To send an online condolence visit www.scalamemorialhome.com

RIP Butch, you will be missed

Thanks Rick.  I was back in the area several weeks ago and stayed in Hackettstown.  When I passed Kozimor's garage on my way to Belvidere, of course I looked the place over expecting to see- well I don't know what.  Rest in peace Butch.  You gave us a lot of fine memories.

R.I.P. Butch ...I pitted next to the Kozimore crew at Flemington many times the year that Eddie Pasco drove for them . Fun crew . They always enjoyed themselves no matter how the evening went :)