He kindled my interest in magic. In the mid to late seventies we enjoyed many evenings on the boardwalk at Asbury Park performing various magic tricks, playing guitar/singing and with me watching him paint wonderful, surreal seascapes using nearly anything you could think of (playing cards, putty knives,  4” wide paint brushes and many other items that I don’t remember). He was truly a GENTLE GIANT, I never saw him get angry. He was obviously very secure with whom he was; anytime someone would attempt to antagonize him he would laugh. The time I spent with John on the ’boards at Asbury Park will always reside at the very top of my list of youthful memories. No drinking, no drugs, just good clean fun. This was the best time of my life.

I remember quite clearly how excited he was when he finally got his dream car. It was either an AMX or a Javelin I not sure which after all these years. It was cool though.

 Regretfully, I have not been in contact with him for many years. Often I would tell myself that I should try to contact him but like most people I never made a serious effort. I did search the internet for his name but I never found any thing of consequence. I did not learn of his passing until 06/03/09. I sincerely wish I could have given him one last farewell and his family my condolences in person. His sisters Belinda and Sharon were classmates of mine for as long as I can remember. He always had my respect. Not because of his size, but because of the size of his heart.  The only thing bigger than Johns hands was his heart.