John was born December 30, 1948 in Easton, PA. He started wrestling his Sophomore year at Easton Area High School which led his to lifelong love for and participation in the sport. John went on to wrestle for Wilkes University where he was coached and mentored by John Reese. He embraced Coach Reese's philosophy, "Victory goes to those who are willing to pay the price.". His outstanding wrestling achievement and awards include: 2x Conference Champion; voted Outstanding Wrestler of the Conference his Senior year; placed 2nd and 5th in NCAA Small College Nationals; Named All American two years; inducted into Wilkes University & District XI Hall of Fame; and recognized as the best wrestler in his weight class for several decades by Wilkes University. John also coached wrestling at Wilkes University; Randolph High School; and Allentown Central Catholic High School.

John proudly served as a member of the National Guard and was deployed on state active duty and served for six years. He started his career as a Math teacher and later entered the corporate world. He was employed in the Information Technology sector as an Assistant Vice President for a Fortune 500 company.

Upon his retirement, John and his wife, MaryAnn, became puppy parents to Marco, an adorable Pomeranian. As a devoted and doting puppy daddy, John adored and loved Marco. That love motivated John to become a children's author to share positivity with readers through stories about Marco including "Marco and Me" and "Twas the Day of Christmas" which received several book awards.

John was proud of his Italian heritage, had a strong sense of family and enjoyed travel, island vacations and time relaxing in Wildwood Crest, NJ with his wife and puppy. He was generous and selfless person and a devoted husband.

John is predeceased by his parents Mary Victoria (nee Pulli) and John Marfia; his brother Andy (wife, Kay); sister Rosalie Drago (husband, Dominic); Rosalie and John Russo, Vera Russo Reynolds and Trey Dolceamore. In addition to his loving wife MaryAnn (nee Russo); he is also survived by a brother, Nick Marfia; family members Arthur, Joseph, Ruthann and Christine Russo, Linda Russo (husband, Anthony Dolceamore), Craig Reynolds; nieces Gina Olah, Maria Russo, Kathy Schaeffer (husband, Ed), Valerie Reynolds Wasser (husband, Ryan), Emmalea Russo and Michael Newton; and Hope Sostarecz; nephew Jeffrey Russo (wife, Jennifer), nephew & Godson Brad Russo (wife, Kerri), John Russo, Luke Sostarecz (wife, Christa); many Godchildren, great nieces and great nephews.

A Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at 11 a.m. in St. Mary Catholic Church, 830 5th Ave., Alpha, NJ. Calling hours will be held Wednesday from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the funeral home. Entombment will follow Mass in Holy Apostles Mausoleum in Greenwich Township.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in John's name, to the Firth Youth Center, 108 Fleming Drive, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865 or Wilkes University c/o Wrestling Coach Jon Laudenslager, 84 W South St, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766.

Funeral arrangement under the care of
Doyle-Devlin Funeral Home

Updated by : MaryAnn Marfia