I worked at Raco Helicopters back in 1986 washing and cleaning helicopters. I am forever thankful for the opportunity John gave me to learn more about helicopters by working around them and also with flight lessons. I'm glad I went back to visit him one last time in 2000 to thank him now that I was flying 737's for United Airlines out in California. My condolences to all of John's family and friends, he will always be a great person who I am proud to have crossed paths with.

I worked at Raco 1990-1993 at the front desk, just wanted to say how sorry I am to hear of Johns passing. I enjoyed my time there wish you all the best..

Uncle John,

I am writing this letter to share my experience. You are more to me than an Uncle; you were more of a Father than my own. As far back as I can remember you were always there. It is sort of blurry but I remember being really little and next to a glass table in a living room, the floor was terrazzo and you were there.

Next I remember your house in Pemberton. It was like a mansion with those big glass panes of glass in the front and a helicopter hangar in the back. How I loved to play in your house! I would get lost in the surplus of avionics in your basement and chill on the sectional in the sunken living room next to the fireplace with my cousin Missy. Oh yeah that mysterious drive-by stone througher that broke the big window in the front, it was me. But I didn't drive. I thought the stones in the driveway looked like Easter Eggs so I thought some of them should go Air Bourne, like your helicopters… wow you were pissed that day!

Next I remember when I moved in with you and TiTi when I was 16. I got a 1986 Monte Carlo to drive to Freehold Adult High School. (ADULT? @!?! That is a laugh…) I worked in on your Farmingdale house during the day and got to beg to go out in that car every night. If I remember right Ray was the contractor. Yep, you can thank me for those leaky sky lights twenty years later… I loved living with you as every night you would sit up in the kitchen and have night caps, cigarettes and ponder life's situations; A tradition that I will respectfully carry out in your honor for many years to come! I learned a lot about life that way and from you. Today; when my kids put me through some of the same crap that I tried on you, I often think about what you said to me, or which cliché applied. Was it the trees or glass houses? Hum…?

Then there were all of those trips to Pennsylvania, OMG!!! The first year I had a posse of locals chasing me in that station wagon, guess dem locals don't take to kindly to having slick city folk come and steal dere women!!! You and Lenny were there to save my butt. You'd think them yokals never seen big Black guys before!? I learned the true meaning of a hard day's work and an honest day's pay. Really. I also learned the meaning of per-diem. ( Per-diem: Latin for; drink as much as you can every night until you either get arrested or pass out) You were extremely patient until that night that you sent me home via helicopter wow you must have been really pissed that night!!!

Often now when I am dealing with my 22, 19, 15, and 12 year olds I often think that it is a diabolical curse negotiated between you and god to teach me a lesson. Never the less you still continued to put up with me. Even when I was in the height of my addiction you were there for me; I remember you made me ride a bike to get a job due to the fact that I had chronic disappearing in cars syndrome. And even then you did not through in the towel on me.

I cherish and applaud you for the accomplishments in your life and I take careful note of the short comings. If I haven't made it clear I Love You! And I thank you for being a father to me as difficult as that might have been.

Brian Berrios

Adopted Son

Even though the years have separated us, we will always have very fond memories of John and his family. One of the foremost dedicated individuals to his profession, John was the epitome of stardom in Aviation. His work was likened unto poetry set to music. John delighted in teaching others about his expertise in combining his talents for performing miracles with aircraft with his gentle nature. He was certainly one of the most brillant individuals alive, consistently working to improve the field of mechanical engineering in Aviation. It was a pleasure to have him as a long time friend and we will cherish our memories, as we miss a true friend and colleague. Sleep well, our friend. Jim and Mary.

My favorite memory of John is when i was a little girl I came down with chicken pox and my sister Tiffany and I were both home from school and John was home with us...baby sitting...yes baby sitting and he asked me what could he do to help me feel better and I told him I wanted to flying! So he packed my sister and I up and off to the hanger we went. That was my the best day of my life at that point AND the first time in a helicopter! Now understand that apparently you shouldn't fly with chicken pox so when my mother got home she found me back in bed but not quite how she left me....although i never saw myself, air had gotten under the pox and i had swollen up like a balloon and my mother exclaimed, "what happened? what did you do?" I remember John's response simply being "she wanted to go flying!" When asked by Mom how I was feeling, she says I just grinned through puffy eyes and said we went flying!!!!!