John Anthony Noto

John Anthony Noto passed away in the early hours of March 20, 2026, the first day of spring, with his wife and godson at his side. He was 71 years old. John was born November 2, 1954, at Oakland Naval Hospital in California, to Anthony and Louise Noto. Because his father was career Marine Corps, the family moved several times in his early childhood, eventually settling at Cherry Point Marine Base in Havelock, North Carolina. He often talked about how grateful he was for what he considered the privileges of base life – use of the gym, the big movie theater, the swimming pool – privileges that he was keenly aware his non-military friends didn’t have. But beyond those obvious perks of being a “military brat” were the less tangible, and far more significant, benefits of growing up amidst the ethos of military life. Strength of character. Integrity. Courage. Discipline. Loyalty. Camaraderie. And service. All of these, whether explicitly learned or simply absorbed with the air he breathed, became traits of the man he would become.

The other equally significant influence on what and who he would grow up to be was his Catholic faith. Looking back, he understood and was always grateful for how much his parents had sacrificed so that he could attend Annunciation Catholic School in Havelock, where he made a number of lifelong friends and received an education he bragged about right up to the end. At Annunciation, his already natural inclinations toward character, integrity, and service grew to include deep felt optimism, hope and humility. Any successes he had in life, and there were many born of hard work and discipline, he chalked up simply to being “blessed.” He happily and proudly served as an altar boy at Annunciation Catholic Church. And in times of loss and uncertainty, John turned to a priest for guidance.

After high school, John graduated from the Ohio Institute of Technology as an Electronics Technician, an education he later found invaluable for its practical application of skills and problem-solving approaches that he considered transferable to all walks of life. Upon graduation, he was immediately hired by Picker Medical Corporation and transferred to Colorado where he met his wife, Heather, and lived for the next 25 years. He worked as a technician and then in sales for a number of tech companies before returning to school, this time to the University of Colorado where he graduated with honors, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and International Public Service. Following graduation, he attended City University of London on a Graduate Seminar Scholarship in International Finance. John’s keen interest in geopolitics and his love of technology served him well when his career moved to the financial services industry, where he first worked at Dean Witter and later A.G. Edwards, specializing in technology. Ultimately, after returning to North Carolina in 2001 to help care for his parents, he started his own firm, Noto Capital Management, Inc., serving as President for nearly 25 years. Many of his previous clients followed him in his new venture, not only because of his acumen as an investment advisor, but because of his commitment to building and nurturing close trusting relationships.

John was a lifelong learner, curious, insightful, hungry for knowledge about history and culture and politics, which stood him in good stead as an investment advisor. He loved to travel, especially to Europe. He was athletic and physically active. His favorite pursuits included learning to surf early in his life, even skipping school some days to hit the beach. Surfing was something he enjoyed into adulthood. He and his wife were committed hikers, taking on many 14,000 foot peaks in Colorado. And they were even more serious road bicyclists, an activity John enjoyed with his wife and alone, riding the beautiful roads of Colorado, often at high altitudes. As his wife remarked, “He was never discouraged by a steep hill.” An apt tribute for a man of courage and optimism.

But perhaps more than all of this, John was a fierce and loyal friend. Not only to those from his childhood and high school years, but to those who followed, including his numerous clients, whom he served with integrity and dedication. As a client of nearly 40 years put it, upon hearing of his death, “He was a decent, decent, decent... decent man.”

John is survived by his wife of 38 years, Heather Noto; his sister Catherine McCarty (Charles); his brother Kevin Noto (Sherry); his nephew and godson, Marshall McCarty; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Anthony and Louise Noto, and beloved aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Special thanks to Dr. Bob Fisher; and Physical and Occupational therapists Adam, Audrey 1, Audrey 2, and Michelle; massage therapists Naasha, Nancy, and Heather; and Home Health Care giver, Donna.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to; Sisters of Mercy https://www.sistersofmercy.org/ways-to-get-involved/ways-to-give/, Annunciation Catholic School #iGiveCatholic, The Don Beaver Memorial Scholarship Fund, which provides financial assistance to students enrolled in the Aviation and Propulsion program at Craven Community College. Checks can be made to the CCC Foundation mentioning the Don Beaver Memorial Scholarship Fund in the memo line. For questions, call Craven Community Foundation at 252-638-7351.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 26, 2026 at Annunciation Catholic Parish, 246 E Main St, Havelock, NC 28532, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 am. He will be laid to rest following the funeral mass at Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery, 3005 Country Club Road, New Bern, North Carolina 28560.

Cotten Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the family and friends of Johnny Anthony Noto.