John Reyes

John was born to Tomasita and John Reyes in the Bronx, New York, and graduated from Evander Childs High School before going on to the Institute of Designing and Construction. He is a Vietnam Veteran, serving nobly in the U.S. Navy’s construction battalion, where he also had a distinguished and undefeated Navy boxing career.

Incredibly funny, quick with a joke, and able to talk to anyone anywhere, John — often called “Dimples,” “Junior,” and “Johnny” by his many friends — was a highly successful salesman, whether selling garage doors or cars, distributing frozen food and beer, or launching several pop-up shops. After retiring, he transitioned to full-time “manny” to two of his grandchildren in Manhasset, New York, where he became a sought-after caregiver due to his fun-loving attitude with kids and parents alike. Later in life, he also became a house flipper and landscape enthusiast.

He spent years as a youth sports coach and could be heard cheering loudly for his favorite NY teams, including the Mets, Giants, and Knicks — along with his grandson’s favorite NY Islanders. He adopted the Texas A&M football team, where one of his granddaughters currently attends university.

On any given day, John and his beloved wife Madeline could be found listening to doo-wop music, raising koi fish, cooking shrimp scampi, embarking on a cruise, or watching his favorite mob and Western films. John could always be found in a crisp track suit or classic Champion sweatshirt and sporting his signature watch tan. He was an attractive guy with a great head of hair, but most of all, he was a devoted friend.

A loyal Catholic, John is survived by his wife Madeline and their two children — Eric Reyes and his wife Jennifer of Sugar Land, Texas, and Vanessa Huter and her husband Jeff of Manhasset, New York. He was also brother to Magda Vitale and proud grandfather to six: Josie (20), Jessica (18), Jamie (16), Ren (15), EJ (13) and Crosby (11).

A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at ST. Laurence Catholic Church, 3100 Sweetwater Blvd. in Sugar Land, immediately followed by a reception in the nearby parish hall.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with his family at www.earthmansouthwest.com.