John was a 1955 graduate of St. Joseph’s High School, Emmitsburg, MD and a 1959 graduate of Mount St. Mary’s College, where he majored in history, and was a member of the MSM’s Glee Club. In 1959 John joined the U.S. Navy and after training, was stationed in the Pacific at Midway Island. It was there as a Seabee he got into broadcasting and was known for his theme song, “The Sloop John B” by the Beach Boys. Upon returning home, he joined WTTR in Westminster where he became know as the “Morning Voice of Carroll County.” John was an avid fan of the Baltimore Orioles and their parent team, the St. Louis Browns. After the station was sold he went to work for Carroll County Public Schools.
John is survived by sister, Anne Wildasin of Taneytown; nephew, Brian Wildasin and wife Sherrie of Gettysburg, PA; nieces, Mimi Wildasin of Taneytown, and Shelley Geiman of Littlestown, PA; devoted daughter and caregiver of his late companion, Betty Jane Rosebrock and Wayne Marsh; great-nephew, Connor Geiman; and great-nieces, Sydni Geiman and Samantha Wildasin. John is also remembered by his Frederick friends, Leonard Keepers, Kim Gillespie, Wanda Thompson, and Julie Nichols.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 44 Frederick St., Taneytown, MD, 21787, with Monsignor Martin E. Feild as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. The family will receive friends 4-8 p.m. Tuesday at MYERS-DURBORAW FUNERAL HOME, 136 E. Baltimore St., Taneytown, MD, with the Rosary shared at 7:30.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church at the above address or to Hospice of Frederick County, P.O. Box 1799, Frederick, MD, 21702.