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May 18, 2026
Services
Friends may visit with the family from 3-7 PM on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, NJ.
A Funeral Mass will take place beginning at 10:30 AM on Friday, May 22, 2026 at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 17 Pompton Ave, Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442
John Joseph Di Maria, 87, of Wayne, NJ, who was born July 9, 1938, in Paterson, NJ, died May 18, 2026. John lived the past 50 years in Wayne following his emigration from Paterson. He leaves behind his devoted wife, Angela (nee Juliano) Di Maria, dedicated children, Donna Di Maria and Lindsey (Jon) Di Maria, both of Las Vegas and Cristina Di Maria, of Sparta, NJ; his beloved brother, Robert Di Maria and his wonderful wife Jeanne Di Maria; loving granddaughters, Lucia Lauria and Ruby Sisskind; caring siblings, Tracy Di Maria and Brian Di Maria and his family; as well as many cousins and friends.
Preceding John in death were his beautiful daughter, Debbie Di Maria; parents John Di Maria, Sr (The Chief) and the exceedingly kind and gentle, Lucy (Moraino) Di Maria, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
John moved from Paterson to Wayne with Angela in 1976, as they recently celebrated their 50th anniversary in a home that hosted many social events and family game nights throughout the years. With Donna and Lindsey established in the world by John’s previous marriage, John and Angela produced Cristina in 1979, and thus began a new era of the Di Maria family.
John worked several jobs during his early years, especially in his parents’ small grocery store in Paterson. He was the oldest of the four cousins who labored in that cozy shop as boys and young men. John clearly developed his work ethic as a result of his father’s consistency and motivation to provide and, as importantly, his mother’s impeccable devotion to their home stability and being the compassionate voice in their family dynamic.
In his mid-twenties, John found his niche when he began selling Chefco knives door-to-door. And within 20 years at Townecraft, he became a trusted regional manager, and, a short time later, an Executive Vice-President and part owner. With John’s FBI aspirations fully behind him, he plunged into his work and produced a lovely home for his family and the friends that often visited for good times and humorous banter.
John relished his trips to Wildwood every summer with his family. A 40-year odyssey of beach snacks, boardwalk rides, food excess, and the infamous chair game were some of the signature events of the Di Maria family’s annual foray to south Jersey.
Cooking was not in John’s lexicon, but eating was. He fancied himself one of the world’s great food critics (especially, Italian) and had a knack of being one of the region's best neophyte wine connoisseurs.
The holidays were clearly John’s favorite time of year. Perhaps his only regret was that he was of slight frame and that he’d be a fraud if he would have had to stuff pillows in an oversized shirt to qualify as jolly St. Nick. He was enthusiastic in his own right and Christmas at the Di Maria residence with John and Angela hosting the festivities was always a rich occasion.
John led a long and fruitful life and he will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him and those hundreds of business associates who were moved by both his acumen and sense of fairness and integrity.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in John's name can be made to the wonderful One Tree Planted organization.
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit with the family from 3-7 PM on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, NJ.
A Funeral Mass will take place beginning at 10:30 AM on Friday, May 22, 2026 at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 17 Pompton Ave, Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442
May 18, 2026
Services
Friends may visit with the family from 3-7 PM on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, NJ.
A Funeral Mass will take place beginning at 10:30 AM on Friday, May 22, 2026 at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 17 Pompton Ave, Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442
John Joseph Di Maria, 87, of Wayne, NJ, who was born July 9, 1938, in Paterson, NJ, died May 18, 2026. John lived the past 50 years in Wayne following his emigration from Paterson. He leaves behind his devoted wife, Angela (nee Juliano) Di Maria, dedicated children, Donna Di Maria and Lindsey (Jon) Di Maria, both of Las Vegas and Cristina Di Maria, of Sparta, NJ; his beloved brother, Robert Di Maria and his wonderful wife Jeanne Di Maria; loving granddaughters, Lucia Lauria and Ruby Sisskind; caring siblings, Tracy Di Maria and Brian Di Maria and his family; as well as many cousins and friends.
Preceding John in death were his beautiful daughter, Debbie Di Maria; parents John Di Maria, Sr (The Chief) and the exceedingly kind and gentle, Lucy (Moraino) Di Maria, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
John moved from Paterson to Wayne with Angela in 1976, as they recently celebrated their 50th anniversary in a home that hosted many social events and family game nights throughout the years. With Donna and Lindsey established in the world by John’s previous marriage, John and Angela produced Cristina in 1979, and thus began a new era of the Di Maria family.
John worked several jobs during his early years, especially in his parents’ small grocery store in Paterson. He was the oldest of the four cousins who labored in that cozy shop as boys and young men. John clearly developed his work ethic as a result of his father’s consistency and motivation to provide and, as importantly, his mother’s impeccable devotion to their home stability and being the compassionate voice in their family dynamic.
In his mid-twenties, John found his niche when he began selling Chefco knives door-to-door. And within 20 years at Townecraft, he became a trusted regional manager, and, a short time later, an Executive Vice-President and part owner. With John’s FBI aspirations fully behind him, he plunged into his work and produced a lovely home for his family and the friends that often visited for good times and humorous banter.
John relished his trips to Wildwood every summer with his family. A 40-year odyssey of beach snacks, boardwalk rides, food excess, and the infamous chair game were some of the signature events of the Di Maria family’s annual foray to south Jersey.
Cooking was not in John’s lexicon, but eating was. He fancied himself one of the world’s great food critics (especially, Italian) and had a knack of being one of the region's best neophyte wine connoisseurs.
The holidays were clearly John’s favorite time of year. Perhaps his only regret was that he was of slight frame and that he’d be a fraud if he would have had to stuff pillows in an oversized shirt to qualify as jolly St. Nick. He was enthusiastic in his own right and Christmas at the Di Maria residence with John and Angela hosting the festivities was always a rich occasion.
John led a long and fruitful life and he will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him and those hundreds of business associates who were moved by both his acumen and sense of fairness and integrity.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in John's name can be made to the wonderful One Tree Planted organization.
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