John Ronald DiMiceli

Born in Newark, New Jersey, on May 7, 1947, to Betty and John C. DiMiceli, John moved to Nutley, New Jersey, where he graduated from Nutley High School in 1965.

John lived life to the fullest. He had a deep love for music, played the guitar, and was a spirited member of “The Swinging Saints” band with Carl Foultz and Bruce Dolan. His passion for music was just the beginning of a life rich with diverse interests and adventures.

After joining the Air Force, John’s dream of becoming a pilot was curtailed by an injury, but this setback did not dampen his adventurous and patriotic spirit. John began his professional journey at Prudential Insurance Company in computer operations. Later he attended Fairleigh Dickinson University, Montclair State, Paterson State College, Bloomfield College, and many more, collecting university sweatshirts along the way.

Peggy Sullivan, a coworker and family friend (later to become Kim’s godmother) set young John and Suzanne up on a blind date. They met for breakfast at a pancake house and the rest is history. Being a dad suited John’s playful spirit and though he worked nights, he spent many days playing with Kim and taking her to the NJ malls and parks, roller rinks, and Chinese restaurants. The little family of three enjoyed camping trips to Cape Cod in their pop-up, later to be recreated with Kim’s first daughter at the same age.

One of John’s proudest achievements was his transfer to the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, in 1981, where he moved his family to Germantown, Maryland. John worked at NIH in computer operations for 30 years until his retirement in 2009. He was known to bring gourmet pranks to the potlucks such as the “delicious but very hard to catch” hand-sewn, four-legged Thanksgiving turkey or the ethnic surprise of chitlins parmesan.

John embraced every day of his life, exploring numerous hobbies and passions. He was an avid photographer, an enthusiastic skier and rollerskater, and a lover of life filling each day with enthusiasm and a little mischief. He took to the waters as a scuba diver and snorkeler and loved taking spontaneous trips in the car that might lead to a honkey tonk or Dunkin Donuts. John was also a talented cook, known for his delicious biscotti and seafood, and a devoted dog lover, cherishing the company of his many spoiled boxers over the years.

John and his beloved wife, Suzanne, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on October 8, 2021, marking half a century of love, bickering, and shared experiences. One could expect them to be swimming with manatees or exotic fish, kayaking on the fourth of July under the fireworks, or sharing an authentic pizza in Naples. Their journey together was filled with travel, dedication, and countless cherished memories. He leaves behind a legacy of love and memories with his wife, Suzanne (Nadeau) DiMiceli, daughter Kimberly DiMiceli, granddaughters Bianca and Ava, sister Denise Strigari, brother-in-law Jerry Strigari, sister-in-law Claudette Scutari and brother-in-law Richard Scutari, as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was proud of his daughter and her 30 years in education and that she shared the passion for life he passed down. He loved his granddaughters and enjoyed their visits. He looked forward to long talks with his little sister and to hear about her family.

John had a special connection with the ocean, spending many summers at Bradley Beach, New Jersey. In keeping with his love for the Jersey Shore, a scattering of ashes at sea will take place in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, in the summer of 2025, followed by a repast and celebration of life at a local restaurant. Details will be forthcoming.

John DiMiceli lived a vibrant, full life, leaving a lasting impact on all who knew him. His adventurous and generous spirit, love of spontaneity and fun, and dedication to his family and friends will be remembered and cherished forever.