John Robert Slonina

On January 22, 2024, John Robert Slonina, 76, of Fairfax, Virginia passed away after a brief battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Toby, daughters, Mary and Laura, son, Peter (Erin), grandsons, Robert and William, sister, Nancy (Paul) Thiffault, and several nieces and nephews.

John was born in Dunkirk, New York, on September 12, 1947, to Irene Delphine Pauszek and Matthew John Slonina. After graduating from Cardinal Mindszenty High School, he attended Saint Bonaventure University in Olean, New York, where he met his wife of 46 years, Toby. Upon completing a Master’s degree in History from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, he went on to serve 30 years in the US Army, stationed for four years in Germany, before retiring in 1999 with the rank of Colonel. The past 24 years he maintained a successful career in government consulting.

Throughout the years he maintained strong affiliation and/or membership with the Boy Scouts of America (National Capital Council), the Commonwealth Soccer Officials Association, the Railway and Locomotive Historical Society and the City of Fairfax community where he lived for 34 years. John loved traveling internationally, spending time with his grandsons, and being an avid train enthusiast and history buff.

The family will receive visitors between 4-8 PM on Monday, January 29th, at Demaine Funeral Home (10565 Main Street, Fairfax, VA 22030). A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Bellarmine Chapel on the campus of GMU at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, January 30th.