John Kenneth Small

John Small was born in Manchester, New Hampshire, to Gardner R. Small and Kathleen Small (née Delaney). He passed away at St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Florida on May 17, 2021. John grew up in New Hampshire, New York, City, and in New Jersey. He graduated from St. Joseph’s High School in Metuchen and began his career as a reporter and sportswriter for The Jersey Journal while pursuing his college education at St. Peter’s College and Jersey City State. Occasionally performing in community theater, he one time shared the stage with his own brother as they played brothers in The Rainmaker.

In the late 1970s, John moved to California, where he oversaw publicity for Golden Bear Raceway and Hollywood Racetrack. Over the course of his career, he became a public relations account executive and director for established firms including Bozzell & Jacobs and Keyes Martin. John was, at heart, an entrepreneur. When he came to Florida, he established his own firm, providing services for clients like Breakers West Realty, TREX, and the State of Florida. He also later founded Images in Glass, creating hand-etched works of art that featured his passion: orchids of every type. John successfully registered a new breed—Rhynchobrassoleya Cracklin' Rosie—with the International Orchid Register in 2001 and created awards for several local and national orchid societies. In recent years, he worked part time as a security officer, doing what he did best: making sure the people he cared about were safe and looked after. When not working or tending orchids, he could be found at karaoke with friends who shared his love for music and singing.

John is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Rob McGall; by his nephews and niece, Robert Perlitz, David Small, Christopher Small, and Kerri Beekman; by his paternal aunts Peggy Greenough Small and Rachel Small Wade, and by his many cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, and by his brother, Richard G. Small. John is deeply missed by his many friends and his loving family.