John Anthony Medici

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John Anthony Medici of Longwood, Florida on February 28, 2024 at the age of 81.

John was born on July 5, 1942, in Manhattan, New York City. He was a 1961 graduate of Bryant High School in Long Island City, where he was an outstanding track athlete. Called "Johnny" ever since he was a young boy, he once ran the 100-yard dash at a high school track meet in 10.4 seconds and as a teenager could easily do 100 push-ups at a time. Always a determined young man, Johnny demonstrated this quality when his right hand was in a cast for eight weeks - - not only did he write all his schoolwork with his left hand but also made an incredibly artistic pencil drawing of Jackie Gleason's "Poor Soul" character that still hangs on the wall at home today. Prior to graduation from Bryant High School, Johnny decided to serve his country by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps, but much to his disappointment was unable to fully complete boot camp due to suffering from debilitating and persistent blisters that made it impossible for him to continue training.

Johnny and the love of his life, Patricia Veronica Smith, also of Astoria, were married in front of many friends and family at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Astoria on July 13, 1963. This day was the beginning of a marriage that would serve as the rock upon which Johnny and Pattie built their lives for 60 years.

Johnny worked as a data processor on IBM mainframes at Welsbach Electric Co. in Queens for over 18 years. He would go on to work in a variety of careers throughout his life, always doing whatever was necessary to take care of his family, a task in which he always succeeded. Despite working long hours, and sometimes two jobs at the same time, Johnny spent as much time as possible taking his sons to ice hockey and Little League baseball practices and games, fishing from local piers in bays around Queens, or showing them how to build and repair things around the house. He took his family on many enjoyable summer vacations to Lake George in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York and to other places such as Walt Disney World and Hawaii. As a grandfather, Johnny was always there to support and give encouragement in any way possible, even when geographic distances may have prevented him at times from being physically present for all his grandchildren. Family was everything to Johnny - - he considered close friends to be part of his family - - and if you were family you were never forgotten by Johnny.

Later in life, he was also affectionately well-known by his stage name, "Johnny Tempo," where he frequently performed karaoke for about eight years until the COVID-19 pandemic began in early 2020. His favorite venue to perform at was the Breezeway Restaurant & Bar in Sanford, Florida and he also regularly appeared at Casey's Sports Bar in Lake Mary, Florida. One special evening engagement had Johnny singing at the Hard Rock Cafe in Orlando. He loved to sing songs recorded by his musical idol, Frank Sinatra, and was also a big fan of Tony Bennett and the "doo-wop" music of the 1950s. Those eight or so years singing karaoke were among the best of Johnny's golden years, as he and Patricia enjoyed many evenings surrounded by music and friends doing what Johnny loved doing most of all: singing in front of an audience. He shined and was truly in his element when he held the golden microphone Pattie bought for him and belted out renditions of "Come Fly With Me," "My Way," "If I Ruled the World," and so many others. Singing was not only a talent Johnny had, it was his passion and brought him much joy and happiness. Anyone who saw and heard Johnny sing in person immediately knew this to be true.

He was predeceased by his father, Anthony Medici, and his mother, Carmela Medici (Toscano), also of Queens, New York City.

He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 60 years, Patricia; their sons Joseph (Christina) Medici of Austin, Texas; Christopher (Jessica) Medici of San Antonio, Texas; David (Joelle) Medici of Seattle, Washington; and Stephen (Jessica) Medici of Apopka, Florida; seven grandchildren, Catherine Medici, Nicolas Medici, Francesca Medici, Michael Medici, Anthony Medici, JohnPaul Medici and Gianna Medici; and his siblings, Lucy Walsh, Carmela Peragine, Mario Medici and Anthony Medici.

Family and friends are welcome to leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your local no-kill animal shelter in Johnny's name.

"Johnny was a wonderful husband, a great dad and grandpa. His family always came first. Johnny was - and still is - the love of my life along with our four sons Joseph, Christopher, David, and Stephen. My Love, rest in peace. You will always be a song in my heart. I love you. Your Pattie."