[Episcopal News Service] A memorial service will be held Jan. 12 at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Somerville, New Jersey, for Canon John Wood Goldsack, chancellor of the Diocese of New Jersey, who died suddenly on Christmas Eve.

Goldsack, 65, was a lawyer in Plainfield, New Jersey, who served the diocese as vice-chancellor for more than 20 years and became its chancellor in 2007, according to an obituary here.

“He particularly enjoyed being able to give of his time, talent and treasure to the Episcopal Church,” the diocese said. Goldsack was elected eight times as a General Convention deputy. He served on several standing commissions of the Episcopal Church, including Constitution and Canons and most recently Structure and Program, Budget & Finance.

“He was a confidante to numerous leaders in the wider church. His knowledge and depth in canonical matters was frequently called upon by colleagues from throughout the church,” Chuck Perfater, Province II executive coordinator, said. “He will be remembered as a very intellectual, witty and compassionate contributor to church life … no matter what venue he was serving at any point in time.”

Goldsack’s wife, Colleen, died in late 2011, and he was in the process of selling their condo and moving back to his boyhood hometown, Somerville, at the time of his death, according to Perfater. The diocese said Goldsack was happy to have returned to his childhood parish of St. John’s for the last few years of his life. Previously he had been an active member of the Church of the Holy Cross, North Plainfield, New Jersey, where he had served on the vestry and as warden.

He is survived by two children, Dorothy-Jane Colleen Goldsack Porpeglia and Kevin Grant Goldsack; two grandchildren; a sister; two nephews and a niece; his new dog, Snickers; and many other family members and friends.

Goldsack attended Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York, where he met his wife of 40 years. They met through a choir tour and shared a lifelong love of music. Goldsack attended Rutgers Law School in Camden, New Jersey.

The Jan. 12 service begins at 11 a.m. The family will receive family and friends from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church and again immediately after the service. A private interment of his ashes is planned.