Family Tribute:John Anthony Spataro was many things to many people. It may have been a long road to get to know him, but once you did it was well worth the trip. He has a gift for making everyone who his life touched feel special. He could make you laugh until you were crying. His personality was of quiet observation and introspection mixed with a quick wit and great sense of humor. He was a wonderfully warm person. He was special in so many ways that is difficult to touch on them all. He listened when you needed a shoulder to cry on. He generously exchanged thoughts on life, love or politics. He would tease you if he knew it bothered you, and then make you laugh about it later.

He happened to be my love, my husband and my best friend. The past seven years have been the best years of my life because John shared those years with me. He made me laugh when I was sad. He shared his life’s dreams. He told be often how beautiful I was to him and how much he loved me. He did everything in his power to make me happy. He made me feel secure in the knowledge that he would always take care of me and be there for me. These are only a few of the things that I miss most about him.

John was also a son, a brother, a godfather, a friend and as he like to say often, a favorite son in law.

John would call his mother every morning from work even though it was usually to tease her. He deeply appreciated that his father worked so hard in order to provide him with a college education. Which was reflected in his accomplishments and aspirations at Marsh.

John and his brother Rob were always planning a business venture and trying to figure out how to make their fortune. Their goal was to make better lives for themselves and their families.

John tried to instill the same drive he had in his youngest brother, Anthony. John often pointed out to Anthony that he needed to get a good job for the future, and that he needed to do something productive with his life.

He had just become a godfather, who loved his godson, Nicholas very much. He was always saying that he wanted to become totally involved in Nicholas’ life.

He was a best friend. His Long Island friends, Dave and Dean, knew him since his family moved to Deer Park in John’s early teens. They grew up together, sharing years of experiences and memories, and being their own little support group for each other.

He also had another best friend Bobby, who lived in New York. When John needed a night out without his wife, he and Bobby would go to a steak house, have a nice martini and discuss sports and the issues of the day.

John is missed by many. We take comfort in remembering how fiercely he loved, and knowing, that if you were a part of his life, you were loved. We honor him with our wonderful memories and eternal love.