John C. Hawken, 84, of Metuchen, NJ, passed peacefully at his home on Wednesday, May 15, 2024.

He was born in Bournemouth, England but spent most of his formative years in Weybridge Surrey before moving his family to the United States first settling in Perth Amboy, NJ, and then residing in Metuchen since 1989.

John was an accomplished musician, performing with many great bands over the years -- the Nashville Teens, Renaissance, Third World War, Vinegar Joe, Illusion, and the Strawbs, the last of which garnered him a gold record for Hero & Heroine released in 1974. He had the amazing opportunity to tour many different countries from 1962-1979 playing with various rock bands and was once quoted as saying "I don't feel the need to talk about it much because I was there, I lived it". He was an accomplished artist as well and could often be found sketching people while sitting across from them in a restaurant or coffee shop. John was an avid chess player (ranked #14 in England as a youth), cribbage player, and was forever solving crossword puzzles -- the Sunday NY Times was his favorite and he always managed to finish it.

He was predeceased by his step-brother, Ian Hewlett.

John leaves behind his two beloved sons, Jody A. Hawken of Edison and Barnaby J. Hawken of Mt Olive along with his wife, Jennifer and his 2 children, Bella Anne Hawken and Greyson Barnaby John Hawken; his sister, Fiona Sands of Hersham, England; and the mother of his children, Alexandra "Sam" Hawken of Highland Park.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday, June 1, 2024, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. at the Flynn and Son / Koyen Funeral Home, 319 Amboy Ave. Metuchen, NJ 08840.