John Vara

John C. Vara, 61, of Hampstead died on September 1st, 2026, after a battle with cancer. He died peacefully surrounded by his loved ones. He was born on January 12, 1965, in Newark, NJ to the late John and Anita Vara.

John proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps, enlisting in 1983 and retiring in 2016. He participated in combat operations in Somalia, Afghanistan and after retirement in Iraq as a contractor. After completing his service, he remained in Hampstead and worked as a contract MV-22 instructor pilot at the Marine Corps’ MV-22 training squadron VMMT-204, MCAS New River. During this time, he also instructed Japanese V-22 pilots on a rotational basis in Japan as part of the US Government’s support for the Japanese V-22 training program.

John was a communicant and active member of All Saints Catholic Church, Hampstead.

He volunteered at the St. Joseph’s food pantry in Burgaw, NC and at the Coastal Therapeutic Riding Program in Wilmington, NC - an equestrian therapy program for special needs and at-risk children.

He is survived by his wife Christine (Geisler) Vara, his children and their spouses Jessica (Josh) Chavez, Samantha Vara, Marissa (Taylor) Silman, Danielle (Andrew Feld) Vara, Grace Vara, one grandson and sisters Mary Beth (Keith) Masur and Teresa (Tim) Conklin, 8 nieces and nephews and close cousin Mary Eileen (Shon) Johnson.

Service arrangements will be updated soon.