John Matthew Landy

It is with great sorrow, yet profound hope, that we share the passing of John Landy from this life into the merciful arms of our Heavenly Father. John passed away unexpectedly on Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 63, due to complications from heart and kidney disease.

John Landy, son of the late John B. Landy and Jean T. Landy, was born in Yonkers, NY, on Dec. 8, 1961. “Johnny” (as many of us called him), grew up in Yonkers, Midland Park, NJ, and his beloved hometown of Sparta, NJ, where he attended school. His formative years were spent in Sparta, and he often spoke of the fun he had there, all the friends he’d made, and how fortunate he was to have grown up in that special place.

John’s career was characterized by the pursuit of service to others. He was and will always be an American hero to his siblings, nieces, and nephews. He spent the first decade of his professional life in various leadership roles in institutional food service and retail management, including a stint supervising his then 18-year-old younger brother Ken. The latter adventure resulted in a series of hilarious exploits that remain among the family’s favorite stories to recount.

John loved his country, and in March 1992, proudly enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of 30. During his twenty-year naval tenure, he was deployed overseas five times and assigned to several aircraft carriers, including the USS Carl Vinson, USS Constellation, USS George Washington, and the USS Harry Truman. One of the many highlights of his military service was seeing the world, specifically visiting the Vatican and helping a convent of Italian nuns during harvest season on their small farm.

Earning his college degree was important to John, and after retiring from the Navy, he proudly became the oldest student to graduate in the 2015 class from the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, FL.

Upon graduation, he accepted a position at Lockheed Martin and served there with dedication and distinction for nine years. In that role he found great pride, joy, and satisfaction in working for and with the incredible people there in support of the United States military.

In his spare time, John was a wannabe salsa dancer, a loving pet dad to his many dogs and a devoted (long-suffering) fan of both the New York Mets and Alabama Crimson Tide football. Nearly every spring, he and his brothers would attend spring training baseball games, a cherished tradition that brought them together year after year.

John was a rare type of man. He loved deeply and gave his life in service to his country and fellow man. He was a man of humble and unshakable faith in God. He was kindhearted and generous.

Despite facing struggles and disappointments, John remained steadfast in his faith, quietly yet boldly reflecting the light of Christ to everyone he encountered. He loved and was loved dearly by his family. He always fought for and against injustice and wrongdoing. In a world where authenticity is rare, he was a quiet testament to what it means to be truly good.

John deeply loved his family and was beloved by all who were blessed enough to know him. He is survived in life by his beautiful wife and soul mate of 27 years, Mirza; brothers Tom (Rhonda/Oviedo, FL) and Ken (Lisa/Winter Park, FL); sister Barbara (Pat Farrell/Yukon, OK); his seven nieces and nephews; four great-nieces; Uncle Matthew and Aunt Patricia Landy (Park Ridge, NJ); and numerous cousins.

Visitation will be held Thursday, May 1, 2025, from 5 pm to 8 pm at Newcomer Funeral Home, 3806 Howell Branch Rd., Winter Park, FL 32792. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, May 2, 2025, at 10 am at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, 861 Maitland Avenue, Altamonte Springs, FL, with interment to follow directly thereafter at Highland Memory Gardens in Apopka, FL.

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