John Oresta Geremia

John Oresta Geremia entered eternal rest on June 3, 2025. He was born on April 6, 1935, to Anne and Bernard “Gerry” Geremia in Bronx, NY. He grew up on Mayflower Avenue with his parents, grandparents, sister Geraldine, and brother Joseph. He attended PS/MS 71 Rose E. Scala School and La Salle Academy in Manhattan. After graduation, he received his BS in Mechanical Engineering from Columbia University. He subsequently entered the US Navy. On June 7, 1958, following a 5-year courtship, he married Marion P. Hawkins whom he had met on a blind date.

John and Marion made the move to Bowie, MD, after 2 years of marriage, where John became a Naval Academy professor while still in the service. After completing his military service, John continued to teach at the Naval Academy while he went on to get his master’s degree and PhD from George Washington University on a Navy scholarship. During this time, John and Marion welcomed three children, Lisa, John Anthony, and Marion Patricia.

After retirement, John and Marion were able to spend years traveling before relocating to State College, Pennsylvania, to be closer to their youngest daughter and assist with the care of two of their eight grandchildren. This is where John and Marion spent the final two decades of their 65-year marriage. Following Marion’s death in 2024, John moved back to Maryland, where he spent the remainder of his life.

John will be most remembered for his faith. He was a devout Catholic, and his faith was central to all he did. Throughout his life, he served his church community in a variety of capacities and was a great supporter of St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and numerous other organizations, particularly those involving children. John and Marion frequently attended Mass and were dedicated to the rosary and divine chaplet devotions.

Despite his easy going nature and self-deprecating humor, John was the foundation of his family. He not only supported his wife and children, but also took in his wife's mother and youngest sister following her father's abrupt death. He also accepted his nephew, whom he regards as his fourth child, into his family. This required him to take on extra work, including teaching two evenings at John Hopkins and consulting on weekends. Nonetheless, he was always willing to help with homework and spend the time he had with his family. He acted as a mentor and role model for several young people who were fortunate enough to cross his path.

John was predeceased by his wife, Marion Geremia; his parents, Ann and Bernard Geremia; and his brother, Joseph Geremia. He is survived by his sister, Geraldine Geremia; daughters, Lisa Noorani and Marion Gall; son, John A. Geremia; nephew, aka, his fourth child, Brian Bozzuto; 8 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren. We are all blest for having had him in our lives.

A Mass of Christian Burial for John will be held Thursday, June 12, 2025 at 10:00 AM at St. Augustine Church, 5976 Old Washington Rd, Elkridge, MD 21075. Interment Private.