John F. Ditro

John F. Ditro, 60, passed away on October 22, 2024.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Arrowhead Lodge in Brewerton, NY (9248 McKinley Ridge Rd, Brewerton, NY 13029) on Tuesday October 29, 2024 from 3:00PM to 7:00PM.

John was born in Philadelphia, PA on March 20, 1964 where he grew up playing a number of sports including swimming, baseball, basketball and soccer, and graduated from Frankford High School in 1982.
 
John enlisted in the Navy in 1982, and married fellow sailor Sandra Auringer on July 07, 1984 at Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in Puerto Rico, where they welcomed their first child, Jason, a year later. In 1987, John and Sandra welcomed their second child, Josh, while stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, VA. John went on to join the New York Air National Guard in 1995, and continued to serve his country for many years at both the Northeast Air Defense Sector in Rome, NY and the 174th Attack Wing in Syracuse, NY until he retired in 2015. 

He was heavily involved in Boys Youth Soccer, coaching and dedicating over 12 years to the Central Square soccer program, many of which as the head coach of the Varsity soccer team. 

Known to many as “Chief Ditro” or “Johnny D”, to know John was to love him. He was always the “Voice of Reason” (Also his military call sign), the go-to guy for advice, and the rock of the Ditro family. He was a mentor to many, either through soccer or the military, and it was an honor to have him on your side. He was a devoted son, brother, uncle, husband, father, and “Popi” to his grandchildren. 

John had a knack for the outdoors; he loved to go up to Fish Creek in the Adirondacks, to camp or take the boat out. He also enjoyed playing golf, and was a proud dog-dad to a handful of furry friends throughout the years. 

Surviving is his loving wife of over 40 years; Sandra Ditro, his parents; Lawrence and Joan Ditro, his children; Jason (Carley) Ditro and Josh (Jamie) Ditro, his siblings; Donna, Lawrence, Michael, Francine and Tina, his four granddaughters and one grandson, as well as several nieces and nephews. 

Please consider a donation in John’s honor to “Clear Path for Veterans” (1223 Salt Springs Rd, Chittenango, NY 13037) a Veteran’s Organization that was close to his heart.

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