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A cousin and a great friend! You will never be forgotten and your memory will live on forever. Thank you for the music and good times we spent together! ️
A cousin and a great friend! You will never be forgotten and your memory will live on forever. Thank you for the music and good times we spent together! ️
Toytoy
Toytoy
I guess because of my being here in the Philippines, I am the one among all of the Dalupan sisters who saw or spoke with Johnny the least. But when we would see each other during the Gaston reunions, he would always greet me (and everyone else) with a big smile. And he was always so friendly and makuwento that the time and the space that separated us would simply melt away.
I also sensed his very strong attachment not just to family but to the Philippines and to being Filipino (half-Filipino, that is). And it was for these reasons, I think, that he would always try to make it back for the reunions.
JO DALUPAN HOFILENA
Dearest Johnny,
I hadn’t seen you in a while…we hadn’t spoken
We kept in touch though sadly not too often
I wish I had told you that I thought you were special
I wish I had called...I wish I had written
But life gets in the way of living!
I’ll miss you dear Johnny…but this isn’t goodbye
You’re in heaven now…on angels’ wings you fly.
Love always,
Loulie
6/15/21
I’m one of Johnny’s older Gaston cousins who called him Johnny Boy. Our Mom, Nenang, is T. Nini Maisto’s oldest sister. We remember Johnny during their Philippine holidays -- a cute, bubbly, fair-haired kid that everyone liked to fuss over.
When they were posted in Manila, Johnny was in his early teens and we saw more of the Maistos then. Johnny developed a special connection with the Dalupan family with his admiration for our Dad and the popular champion pro Philippine basketball team CRISPA, which he coached. Outside our immediate family, Johnny was their biggest fan. And this was affectionately reciprocated. Dad would always give tickets for those games out of school hours that Johnny could watch. Dad and Mom always enjoyed the stories of Filipinos’ strange reactions when fair-skinned Johnny would proudly tell them he was the nephew of Coach Baby Dalupan.
It was many years after they left Manila that I saw Johnny again at his parents Golden Wedding celebration. It was a still bubbly but grown up Johnny, now affectionately fussing over his family. It touched me to see how much they meant to him, how dedicated he was to his parents, children, sisters and their families.
BINKY DALUPAN PALM
Our Tribute To My Cousin Johnny Boy
(from Tina and Charles)
Johnny Boy is one of my 23 first cousins on the Jose Gaston side of the family. We didn’t grow up in the same circle nor the same part of the world. Yet the distance did not stop us from having that cousin bond that grew stronger and fonder in our mid life years here in the US. Johnny was Mr. Wonderful to us, and to my sons, he was the “cool dude”. With a great sense of Pinoy humor, he spoke and we all listened. Calm and wise, he encouraged our generation of cousins to value our family, to get along no matter the politics and just have a darn good time.
Johnny made it a point to spend time with us whenever he had business trips to California; once taking the train from San Diego to Orange County just to watch Lachlan play baseball. He was game for anything; be it a fancy dinner by the sea, a hole in the wall for authentic Chinese 8 course, or a good ol’ local bar serving beer on tap, making “chismis” and dreaming about the hacienda days back in the Philippines. With Johnny, it was always fun, always happy, every moment a celebration.
Cheers to you Johnny Boy…
Charles & I miss you dearly.
6/20/2021
Requiem:
-an act or token of remembrance.
Goodbyes are hard. That’s why nobody really wants to say it. It’s always easier to say, “I’ll see you soon.”
Whenever we’ve gotten together lately after his passing, I would never think that Johnny is gone. I just always tell myself that he’s just not joining us that day... that he is off doing something else and couldn’t make it. Deep down, I knew he was always there and...still is.
Johnny was a friend, a good friend first and foremost, and he was family. He was a combination of Kermit the Frog and Sam the Bald Eagle. He was a good man...the best. He was funny and he was a kind and gentle giant. A big heart and an unforgettable soul.
Fun times growing up when he was still living in the Philippines. In Sta Rosalia, it was him, Jesse and I always hanging out together a lot. Swimming, horseback riding, basketball...or just hanging out sa Daku Balay. But then we grew up, as we are all wont to do. He left the Philippines and we sort of lost touch…...until we started hanging out again stateside, and rekindling the bond that we used to have. Sharing all our trials and tribulations and trying to solve the problems of the world over beer and whiskey. Johnny was a peacekeeper. He would always try to see both sides of the picture and smooth things over. He would talk about his family and I would talk to him about mine. We would talk on the phone almost every other week. I would visit him and he would visit me. It came to a point that Maria had to ask me where he was or what he was doing.
Johnny was a happy man. He was happiest when he was with family and his loved ones.
He was a genuine man. One of the better people out there. A man whom I wouldn’t think would have a regret in this world. I think if he could see all his friends and family right now, he would say, “I think I did alright.”
I MISS HIM.
This is a photo of Johnny's last night in Manila on his last trip to the Philippines in 2018. He is with our mom, his Tita Nenang. She is the eldest sister of Johnny's mom, our Tita Nini Maisto, and was married to Johnny's famous basketball coach uncle, Tito Baby Dalupan.
Johnny, Adam and Susanna were headed back to the States, after attending the celebrated Gaston family reunion down south in Negros Occidental, and taking a wonderful trip afterwards to the island of Bohol. They had braved the infamous Manila traffic and taken an Uber to make the long trek from Makati to our mom's home in Quezon City. Johnny was adamant that he could not leave Manila unless they had dinner and spent time with Tita Nenang. Thank you, Johnny, for having given her this very special night.
THE DALUPAN DAUGHTERS
ON BEHALF OF NENANG GASTON DALUPAN
As I understand it, the ancient Greeks didn't write obituaries. They only asked one question after someone passed: "Did he have passion?"
My friend, you had passion for a dozen. And you had a great outlook on life - the singular vision I hold is you giggling at some nonsense that was vexing me and really didn't amount to much.
You loved your family, particularly your children, with passion.
You loved cooking with passion.
You loved your music with a passion.
You loved the Caps with passion.
You loved cycling with passion.
You loved drawing straight lines with a passion.
You loved your friends with passion.
And I - we, all of us - loved you with passion. I am so sad that we'll have to wait just a bit longer for that gravel grind we had planned. It will be glorious. Someday.
Rest in peace, Johann.
Kemal Tuncer
For John on Father’s Day, 2021
We cannot imagine what raising our own kids would have been like without John. When he, Karen, Adam, and Susanna came into our lives we had an instant bond. With our kids almost exactly the same age, and all of us becoming close friends, we were given something special—a whole other family to raise our kids with.
Given all the previous intersections of our lives (Paul and Maria being in kindergarten together, for example), perhaps it was destiny finally catching up.
There are too many treasured memories to count—from all the birthdays, school events, hikes, bike rides, bus stop waits, Halloweens, spontaneous gatherings for dinner, demolishing a kitchen wall with Mara, to one epic, failed, middle-of-the-night convoy to go see a meteor shower (in the fog).
Whatever the occasion, whatever the hare-brained adventure might be, his gleeful enthusiasm always made each endeavor a joy. Paul and John liked to meet at the 4 Corners Pub to catch up—and all they ever talked about were their kids. John’s delight and pride in Adam and Susanna beamed out of him. That glow will always remain.
With love—
Paul, Mara, Tim, and Lucy Glenshaw
The Sauters have so many good memories of John and miss him very much. This is just a short list of some of the highlights.
The early days of him being the “Black Bats” soccer coach and him having a great time doing it. He was so welcoming to all of the kids because he was genuinely interested in hearing from them, as was his nature.
Going to Nats Games with him and also hearing him talk about going to Nats Games
He loved getting a “half-smoke” at the ballpark.
His laugh and voice were terrific
Seeing outdoor music with him at the Glenshaws, especially Adam,Tim and Conor’s band
Him changing a bike tire at the Glenshaws Talent Show, several times!
Fun times with him and the family at our lake house in Virginia- he loved a good boat ride and was always up for riding on “Super Mable” the float
Visiting Fripp Island, SC with him and the family: he cooked us three different types of shrimp and had a great time doing it, telling tales of when he worked in a restaurant
One amazing day on the beach where everyone was having fun jumping the waves
He always wore Adidas soccer sneakers
Mike remembers:
going to see Neil Young at DAR even though John was not feeling well that night
He also remembers going to see the Pretenders and X with him and talking to Billy Zoom.
Teague remembers:
John was his Takoma Park baseball coach he told him he would be good catcher
He also remembers that John was a big fan of Dr. Freeze at CAP Hollywood which was the character Teague played in his movie.
He was always excited and had a smile on his face
Ian remembers:
John was always willing to play water guns and other games with the kids at the lake house when no one else would.
Neil remembers:
John telling campfire stories at the lake house, playing around on the tube, and super soaker wars. He always managed to brighten a room.
The Sauter Family
From Janet Nelson
Johnny is my third cousin once (or twice?) removed if we follow the hierarchy of the Gaston Clan generations. I didn’t get to meet him and get to know him and the rest of my Maisto cousins until about 2015, almost 10 years after I had been living in Northern Virginia. Up until then, my awareness of my Gaston-Maisto cousins was based solely on a black-and-white photo of them smiling from the pages of our Gaston Reunion souvenir book.
Johnny was always one of the most gregarious and fun-loving people at the gatherings I (with my sons Emil and Liam) was able to attend with the family. To say that Johnny loved life, and loved everyone, is a huge understatement. And because he was just that kind of guy, he was simply ADORED by all. And that is not an overstatement.
Whether you’ve known him all your life or only for a few minutes, it was effortless to ease into a very comfortable zone where Johnny operated with 101% genuineness. To me, despite perhaps just a handful of moments where I got to chat one-on-one with him, Johnny still made a positive impact in my life and I will always think of him with fondness.
On behalf of my sons Emil and Liam, who are most especially keeping Adam and Susanna in their thoughts; and, of my parents, Mike and Rica Suarez, and my siblings Maita, Miren, and Miguel, we say “Farewell for now, Johnny. Thank you for all the great memories.”
Your cousin, Katrina
I felt such a strong connection to your son, your father, your brother, your friend. I am simply not prepared to let that go. I only knew John for a couple of years but in that time, I felt like we shared a great friendship; almost immediately, and I dare say profound. As it turns out I do not think I am alone. John was that kind of guy. Quick to make deep heartfelt friendships. A heart big enough and open enough to let so very many in and in deep. And in that time, I and my life partner Kay developed a sweet spot for John and his family. And so, Kay and I want to reach out and share our deepest concerns, caring and hopes for healing.
Such a blow; to the whole body and soul.
I know you understand when I say that I can’t find the words to express the sorrow. And so perhaps I won’t even try. There is and there will never be a good explanation.
Please know that in our memories of John, John continues to live on. And given how many people I’ve talk with who really deeply cared for him, because he cared so thoughtfully for them, he will live on strong in all of us. If not the body we know and loved, then at least in his soul and his spirit.
Peace, love and friendship to the family and friends,
Paul Andresino and Kay Mena
From Lauren Young
From Scott Plante
In Memory of Johnny
In one of our family reunions, I marveled at the ease of how Johnny joined his cousins as if he had always known them. Johnny was a kid who grew up without ever losing his childlike vision of how to be happy with everyone.
God does not play dice with the universe that he has created. He is in control of everything and this is evident in the unity and purpose of all that exists. Stand and gaze in awe at the amazing order and purpose of God’s creation. Man is not just a speck of dust in the universe but the crowning glory of his creation. He made man unto his image and shared with him the fullness of His love.
We say, we love Johnny but God loves him more and willed that Johnny enjoy the fullness of his love that is everlasting. And in consequence, we too will share in that love...the Amazing Grace!
- Msgr. Guillermo Maria “GG” Gaston
Isang pagpupugay -
Only one thing we had in common - Filipino blood in our veins. Grateful to have known leadership and talent at its best, a man of both kindness and true grit.
Never having a chance to work with John, our brief encounters in the office would be about Filipino food. His was one of the best adobos I’ve had, and it was not of exact measure, just flavors melded together in the right proportions.
I will remember him for his genuine smile, lively good mornings, candidness and the warmth of his personality.
You may have left us without saying goodbye, but the memory of you will always live on.
God speed John! May you rest peacefully in the arms of our Lord!
My sincerest condolences to the family you have left behind.
Clarissa Lazaro
There was always something about Johnny. Even though it was often years between visits, (there were no issues but geography among our big, sprawling family), it was always fast to fall into an easy cadence with him. He remembered things about our lives, our people, our jobs, our hobbies, and asked about them. He showed interest, shared interesting stories, cracked jokes, sang a few times, and participated in everything. His claim to fame at these reunions was creating our family tree. I will never forget him working it out on our big table, a roll of white paper unfurled for him to do his architectural-style printing and map out our tree. Every other year, he added to it, as our family grew, and shrank.
I speak for my siblings and Mom when I say that John was a man we respected and loved. Always humble, kind and good natured, he was so easy to be with and seemed to always treasure our rare times together as a family.
We all tend to measure life by the quality of the people in it. To us, he was the gold star—a special, gifted man who will always be remembered with great love,
Carole, Dina and Jack, Jody and Becca, John and Terri, Michele and Michael and our children
On Mother’s Day of 2013, before we had met in person, John sent me a text that said, “I hope you are being properly celebrated!” On March 7, 2021, his last text to me read, “How can I help?”
That was John. He loved celebrating with friends and family and had the same zeal for helping others - his children, his parents, sisters, nieces and nephews, work colleagues, fellow cyclists, band members, and the multitude of people from all over the world, that John called friends.
When we first met, I teased him about his overuse of the word “nice.” “Pick another adjective,” I’d say (Nice in considered a “dead word” in the 4th grade) What I realized, as the months passed, is that John used the word nice because he found the opportunity to do the things he loved, with the people who loved him, to be pleasant, uplifting and well, nice.
We immediately bonded over John’s enthusiastic love of food. Whether he prepared it himself after a trip to H-Mart and the aid of sharp knives, or we were out grabbing dollar oysters on a Sunday or a Quarry House burger during the week, John was always excited about food. He was almost equally enthused about playing music with his band, the “Mackatones,” and hosted their weekly sessions in his hastily remodeled basement when they needed a new practice spot.
Once, he took me to see his favorite band, “X,” when they played in DC. While they did not become my favorite, it was an experience I will certainly never forget.
Some of his other favorites:
Watching movies - not always the whole movie - but at least his favorite scenes from “Bridesmaids”
Spooning with Sebastian, his feline best friend
“Cousin time” - especially at family reunion, in the Philippines
Sitting in a hole he dug,covered in sand,at the beach
Splashing recklessly in the ocean
A good sour beer
Taking the scenic route to get from point A to point B; even when the gas gauge on his SAAB didn’t work and while “tracking the mileage” he occasionally ran out of gas.
Sharing details of his latest work projects
Strong espresso,
Catnaps, and
Us.
I am so very grateful that I had the opportunity to love John. And so, in his memory may we continue to remember small moments, offer help to others, and celebrate him whenever we can.
Much love John,
Kate
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