October 31, 1071 - February 2, 2012
Although he was to arrive mid October, John Michael Rothstein decided that Halloween would be the perfect day to grace the earth with his presence; thus on October 31, 1971, weighing in at 6 lbs 9 oz, John burst from darkness and warmth into the cold cruel world in York, Pennsylvania's Memorial Hospital.
John was welcomed by his happy family of his mom and dad, 2 half-sisters, Jacqueline and Suzanne and his half-brother, Marty at home. John also had 2 half-sisters in NY, Janice and Alana in addition to adoring grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. He was the center of attention and kept us all on our toes. He was an adorable baby and was loved and coddled by us all.
Unfortunately, John was not always happy and it turned out that his frustration and frequent crying were caused by physical limitations unknown to us. It wasn't until he was over a year old that we discovered that in addition to a Hemiparesis, John required open-heart surgery which he underwent twice before his third birthday.
John also had behavioral problems and spent time in the John F. Kennedy Center in Baltimore, Md where he had to learn how to walk and perform the activities of daily living. Needless to say, John had a hard start in life. Because of Scoliosis, he had a steel rod placed in his back before adulthood. He really did endure so much more than most of us.
In spite of his disabilities, John graduated from Susquenita High School; he learned to drive and obtained employment at a fast food restaurant and then as a retail clerk at Dollar General and then at Gabriel Brothers. He always had an admirable work ethic and when most people were calling off of work due to snow, John could be seen doing his utmost to shovel his car out or find another way to get there. He was loved by his co-workers and kept them laughing. If he liked you, the sky was the limit, but if you were on his sh--t list. watch out!
John always delved into his hobbies with a passion and he went from being a Fire House nut, to Hulk Hogan and wrestling, then the Dallas Cowboys and especially the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders! He was a regular at Hooters and Arooga's and was loved and admired by his many friends. He had no qualms about traveling and was brave enough to travel to Las Vegas alone. He had so much spunk.
Life was not kind to John; he was limited by his paralysis, his small stature and the Scoliosis which caused the terrible curvature of his spine which, unfortunately, was the main cause of his demise due to the limited space for his lungs and his extremely decreased pulmonary function. John was a fighter and braver than most. He fought for his independence and lived life to the fullest on his terms. He was a very important part of our family and there is now a great void in our lives. We love him, we think of him, we remember him and we look forward to seeing him with his new perfect body someday in the hereafter.
John Michael Rothstein, 40, of Marysville, PA, was welcomed into Heaven surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, February 5, 2012, in Harrisburg Hospital.
John was born on October 31, 1971, in York, PA; he was a graduate of Susquenita High School class of 1990 and was employed for Gabriel Brothers in Camp Hill and Harrisburg.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, John and Mildred Perrone, paternal grandparents, Louis and Mollie Rothstein, step father, Homer Allen, sister, Cheryl Rothstein and a niece, Nicole Rothstein.
He is survived by his mother, JoAnne Allen of Marysville, Father, Arlan Rothstein, of Port Matilda, brothers: Martin Rothstein and his wife Beth, of Hershey, Raymond Rothstein, of MD, sisters: Janice Rothstein, Alana Rothstein, both of Brooklyn, NY, Jacqueline Chesbro and her life partner, Jonathan Mayo, of Baltimore, MD, Suzanne Martinez of Duncannon, Kiley Jenakovich, of Port Royal and Linda Lagyak, of Hershey, also numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Viewing will be held Wednesday, February 8, 2012, from 7-9 PM, at Neill Funeral Home, 3401 Market St. Camp Hill.
Funeral service will be conducted 11:00 AM, Thursday, February 9, 2012, from Neill Funeral Home, with viewing from 10:00 to 11:00. Interment will be in Chestnut Grove Cemetery in Marysville.
Memorial contributions can made to your charity of choice.
Arrangements under the direction of Neill Funeral Home, Camp Hill, PA.
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