I would be very interested in this as well. I'm sure flowers will be appreciated, but perhaps we can get organized and do something with a more lasting impact? P.S. please consider taking the debate over medications and/or discussions over the source of his money to another thread. Just my $0.02 thanks.
I've heard nothing but good things about John. All the stories in this thread just show that he was a class act. May he rest in peace. BTW, that F40 story is just priceless.
Being a Car-Parazzi member, he did so much for that site. I never had a chance to meet him in person, although he showed me that all supercar owners weren't snobby rich people. RIP John, thanks for showing me that exotic owners could be cool down to earth people.
My dad was a cargo theft cop in the Port of LA for a good 15 years. One day the Terminal Island area adjacent to the then closing Long Beach Naval yard opened up. "Big Willie" opened up the Brotherhood Raceway, a 1/8th mile, totally uneven little drag strip that anything could run at on that plot of land. One day around maybe 1992 or 93 I was sitting at home when my dad mentioned a kid bringing a Ferrari to the track and becoming a regular, so I went to check it out one day. I ended up at the staging area and saw an F40 just sitting there, I was waiting for my friend Craig to roll up his stang. John was being nagged by his girlfriend because he never took her for a ride, so he yelled over to me, "are you gonna just look or you wanna go?" and I hopped on in for a quick 1/8th mile blast. It all happened so fast we never exchanged info and I never saw him again. Years later John and I are sitting back relaxing at the hotel talking about the legend that he had become owning an F40 at 18, I mentioned that some kid I got in the car with at Terminal Island was also 18 so it was not that rare. He then told me that it was him, and even remembered my father's first name. He added "you SOB!!! I broke up with my girlfriend because I took you for a ride and not her" we laughed well in to the night. Then I told him I went back and never saw him there again. We both knew Craig very well, who had a tragic story of his mother and father as well, and then John and I both remember an old salt turned racer called "schoolteacher" and we exchanged stories well in to the night.
That's a great story and shows just how small of a world we live in. John sounds like someone who simply loved life and the people that entered his.
My friend who grew up with John, mentioned that he was there with John at the Ferrari dealership when buying the F40. Pulled up in a Viper.....in the rain....with sandals......flings a penny at the salesman......tells the salesguy "I'll be back with the rest". What a crazy story to have in high school. LOL
Awesome write-up. Its great to hear you had so many memories with John. I have been a member of Car-Parazzi since 2006 or 2007, I loved seeing the videos of John taking Dash, Mike, and Spyder for rides in the Enzo. He really did touch those kids lives. Believe it or not, John eventually registered on Car-Parazzi under the name "EVLENZO". We all were starstruck that an actual supercar-owner was a member and not just another teenager. Such an incredible man that touched so many people. RIP John. Chris
I never knew John but enjoyed reading all these posts about his life. Yes it was way too young to go, but take some comfort that he LIVED more than most people ever will. To me, it's another reminder that life is short, don't wait until tomorrow to buy that Ferrari! And certainly don't let it sit in the garage, get out there and DRIVE. RIP
Been up a few nights now reading our chatlogs and his old threads. from this thread: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=137690
Yes he was. I am quite saddened by this news, but am glad that John did live his life the way he wanted, and was very happy even till the end. You can't ask for anything more right? Glad to see your still doing well Eric. I've been wondering about you. +1 He has a helicopter maintenance facility not far from me. I wanted to rent a chopper from him one of these days for something crazy, but it never happened. He will be missed.
TestShoot, Sorry to hear the loss of your friend. I like the new signature, he simply lived live to the fullest.
He daily drove the DTM and definately liked it more than the Enzo. I think it was faster too. The Enzo was more problematic.