John Stefano, Sr. Obituary

John Joseph Stefano, Sr. passed away on the evening October 16, 2025 at Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center in Columbia, Maryland at the age of 89. John was born in Yonkers, New York on December 3, 1935. He was the first-born son to Michael and Rose Mary Stefano. John attended Mount Saint Michael's High School in New York, and later graduated from St. Louis University with honors, earning a degree in aeronautical engineering at the young age of 20. After graduation, John proudly served in the Coast Guard, and then enjoyed a 35+ year career with the federal government at the Atomic Energy Commission and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

John met the love of his life, Catherine Bridget Hoban, and they married in 1964. They were the proud parents of two successful children, Dr. Kelly Anne Stefano Fisher (husband Daniel) and John Joseph Stefano, Jr. (wife Rebecca). He was the loving, compassionate grandpa to Nicholas (wife Haley), John Tyler, Noah, Caitlin and Samuel. He looked forward to hearing all about their latest activities or career plans, and set a wonderful example of how to be a loving, hard-working christian adult. John was preceded in death by his parents, his two younger brothers Paul Stefano and Michael Stefano, and several nieces/nephews.

John lived a happy, faith-filled life, and volunteered with many church-based ministries. He and his wife were active in the Maryland Catholic Conference for many years, but their passion was the sanctity of life. They served for many years on the Archdiocese of Baltimore Respect Life Committee, and received the Distinguished Service Medal Award in 2021. John was also a proud 4th degree Knight of Columbus for 69 years. John also loved music, baseball (Go Yankees!), and family time. He regularly talked about the many countries he was able to visit with his wife.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Louis Roman Catholic Church on Thursday Oct. 23, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. followed by a Christian burial at St. Louis Cemetery in Clarksville, Maryland. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John's name to Archdiocese of Baltimore Respect Life Committee or the Alzheimer's Association.