John Chester Gore

John Gore, a resident of Boca Raton, Florida and Arlington, Virginia, died Tuesday, May 20, at Georgetown University Hospital. He was 77 years old. He is survived by his sister, Cynthia Gore Bauman, many nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews and his wife of 53 years, Antonia Stepovich Gore.

John was smart, funny, and knew how to get things done. Despite losing his voice to laryngeal cancer, he was the consummate communicator, making presentations and speeches from Moscow to London, Sweden to South Africa, Alaska to Florida, Canada to Chile, always with wit and humor. His full career spanned the hemispheres: North and South, East and West.

Born in New York City to Lorraine Celia Gore and Owen Lee Gore, John grew up living in communities close to the city, coming to Georgetown University, School of Foreign Service in 1966. The recipient of the Notz Medal in Economics, John graduated with Honors in 1970. In 1971, he married Antonia Stepovich, the eldest child of Governor and Mrs. Mike Stepovich, in Fairbanks, Alaska.

1971 marked the beginning of his long career in Government and Public Affairs at British Petroleum, starting first in the Washington Office of BP Alaska and culminating as Head of Government and Public Affairs worldwide at BP headquarters in London. In a posting in Brussels Gore developed the British Petroleum office dealing with the European Union. John retired from BP to an active life of writing, consulting, golf, and travel.

Once retired, John created “The Washington Overview” for friends and colleagues. Instantly popular, it became a newsletter that was read by eager subscribers the world over. John also wrote an autobiographical book, “Stage Fright 15 Rules for Coping with Cancer”, a slim book described as the “funniest book about cancer you will ever read.” Funny, of course, but also a book of earned common sense for those facing cancer. Stage Fright shows John Gore to be smart, funny, and knowing how to get things done.

Eternal rest grant unto John Gore, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him. Requiescat in Pace.