From Nick DeRosa

Hi Johns Daughters

Hearing of your Dad's passing has touched me in many different ways. As you know my father Angelo and John were soulmates their entire life. John and my father had a friendship that was deeper than any I have ever seen. They were always connected no matter how many miles separated them. It used to drive my mother crazy to hear about how John could solve anything and how my father would be eternally happy if only he would move to where John was living at the time. Now remember my father was afraid of his own shadow - he couldn't fly, was afraid of bugs, lizards and snakes. Never went camping and was somehow going to move to Hawaii with John and live off the earth. Now I heard my mother say to him for 40 years - "Just go live with John if he knows how to make you so happy." But as the days past, weeks past and years past my father could never leave the true love of his life his wife Irma. But it was always amusing to get that call from John Lodi each year about the newest adventure and how all my Dad needed was to follow John and he would be so happy if only he could get Irma to go.

Those phone calls were my fathers kryptonite - he cherished those calls and truly was re-energized for whatever life diificulties he faced at the time. they so needed each each other and no matter how many years apart they would spend a five minute phone call would bring their souls together again. There were so many memories of John Lodi that touched our family. I don't know what it was about John but I do know that in his presence we all felt more connected with something inexplainable. He truly was an apostle. A five minute talk with John and you knew he was something special.

I remember about 17 years ago John had visited my father in Florida and I was living in West Palm Beach at the time a young eager corporate puppet who really didn't know any better at the time. My father called and asked if he and John could drive down and visit. I was very excited to see them. They were like two teenage boys on a road trip. goofing around. When they arrived we went to lunch. My Dad had wanted to hear all about my new career. I rambled on about all my responsibility, the meetings, the training and the great opportunity. John sat there and listened in complete peace - he turned to me and said - Don't you get tired of all that acting! It hit me like a ton of bricks - he was so right on. I hated what I was doing pretending to be someone I wasn't. John knew it the minute I began speaking. It was only a few years after that I resigned from my corporate position and went in business for myself. I have to say that one comment stuck with me for quite a while. It was this insight that made John so special. I really don't know that I will ever meet such a deep peaceful man.

Also, I remember back in New York when John bought an old school bus. He took us for a ride and had no idea how to drive such a big vehicle. He was sideswiping telephone poles and the windows were shattering. being so young I was scared to death. My father was having a blast. He was a part of one of John's adventures and that made him so happy.

When my father passed away a few years ago and John was there I could see how a part of John had disappeared. His lifelong friend would not be there for those annual phone calls. I wish I could have taken some of those calls that touched my father in so many ways. I know John would have put a lot in perspective for me. I truly miss my father and John. Their relationship will always be with me.

Please feel free to share this on your site. Hope you and your family are doing well. Life is still good just a little different.

Love to all.

Nick DeRosa