John DiMaio Jr.

John DiMaio Jr., age 83, of Wayne, PA, passed away peacefully while surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, February 13, 2022. Born on April 10, 1938, in an elevator at Bryn Mawr Hospital. He was the son of the late John DiMaio Sr. (Papa John) and Filomena DiMaio (Mongiello).

John attended St. Katharine of Siena School in Wayne, PA. In his early years, he worked as a security guard for the Valley Forge Military Academy and College in Wayne, PA. He then went on to work with his brother Ralph, doing landscaping. He then became part owner of John’s Bar and Grille with his father, John Sr. The name was then changed to Papa John’s Bar. He worked a “day job” at the same time doing landscaping, waterproofing, and fence repairs. He would often dig 5-foot trenches by hand instead of using digging equipment. He then worked at Kuntz Detective Agency as a security guard and then began his own landscaping business with his son Dan, under John DiMaio Landscaping.

John’s favorite passion was being outdoors, hunting and shooting. He absolutely LOVED spending quality time in the mountains with his family and friends at several cabins over the years in Bradford County, just outside of Towanda, PA. He spent many days and nights cruising the back dirt roads looking for deer and bear, many times not even seeing any wildlife, but spending time with his children and grandchildren.

John was a “true” story teller as he had many new ones to tell every day. Although, the stories were overheard time and time again, it was the joy in his face that many liked to see.

It was on South Devon Avenue, Wayne, PA where he raised his family for close to 30 years, before moving to Pottstown, PA for the next 15 years. He later lived with his son Danny, and for the past 2 years with his grandson, Shawn. He always loved Wayne and often ventured back frequently, visiting his friends at “Joe’s Place”, a popular eatery, sitting there for hours talking and joking with many friends. He would sit at this very spot on an annual basis, along Lancaster Avenue, with his sister, Rose, and family to watch the Memorial Day Parade.

He enjoyed just driving around town and looking for the next great place to eat, another passion of his. He visited many diners and restaurants and would look forward to his Thursday night date nights with his sister, Rosie, where they would eat away! He was known to be the only person that could actually get kicked out of Shady Maple Smorgasbord for eating too much food! He loved playing cards and checkers and didn’t like it when he lost!

John enjoyed watching Villanova Basketball, the Philadelphia Phillies, and the Philadelphia Eagles. He loved watching them play and was thrilled at every win.

His biggest love was for his family, all of which adored him. John had a huge heart and was very unselfish. John would do anything for anyone and would always make sure that everyone was okay before worrying about himself.

John was preceded in death by his father, John DiMaio Sr., and mother Filomena DiMaio (Mongiello); his brothers Ralph J. DiMaio, and Louis G. DiMaio. He is survived by; his sons John DiMaio III (Vera Calvarese), Daniel A. DiMaio (Karen Hines) , daughters, April L. DiMaio, and Jennifer Petroski (Robert); 11 grandchildren, Shawn Meidinger; Erica, Joseph & Lucas DiMaio; Kodi, Kyle, Hailey Petroski; Christopher & Daniel DiMaio, Maria & Rosa Ortega, and 4 great- grandchildren, Llevaly, Olivia, Lveigh, and Amelia; his two sisters Rose (Rosie) Dienno, Carmela Donato; sister-in-laws, Jody DiMaio (Ralph) and Patricia (Louis) DiMaio.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 19, 2022 from 10am-12pm at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 35 Old Eagle School Road, Strafford, PA, 19087, followed by a funeral mass. Interment private at a later date.