With a smile and a charm that was uniquely his own, John poured his passions and his creativity into his daily life. Whether it was through his business, his political passions or his community associations, those who knew John could not help but be touched by his courage and his compassion.

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John and I spent many days together during and after our time at Fairport High. He passed away February 1999.              -- Mary Pelletier DiMuro - submitted February 11, 2002

John was a warm and caring person. It makes me sad that he is no longer contributing to this world. We spent many evenings going dancing, laughing, talking and having fun. Lately, I have thought of him often and hope that his life was a joyful one. -- Mellissa Kelly-McCabe - submitted February 13, 2002

I have some wonderful memories of the plays I did with John. In particular were Damian and Angela, and Bye Bye Birdie. I will miss John's incredible voice and his wonderful smile. -- Penny Morse - submitted March 4, 2002

John and I became great friends during 5th grade at Johanna Perrin School. I was drawn to his personality and charm even then. He was genuine, good-natured and compassionate. After we were reacquainted in high school, my admiration for him and the joy of our friendship grew even stronger. What positive energy he possessed! He and his partner Sam came to our wedding in October 1984. They were very happy together.  During another chance meeting at Midtown, he was very excited about his business. I still have his business card, "John Michael, Chef at Large." I was most distressed to learn of his death and I wish I could have been there for him. I too, think of him often and know that he is in a better place with our good friend, Jesus whom he loved very much. (I'll be by to see you, John.) -- Suzanne Fell-Rickard - submitted March 10, 2002

John DiPrima was one of the first friends I made when I went to the Minerva Deland School. We were both in chorus together. His laugh was infectious; he had a heart of gold. And that smile...it just lit up a room. We always sat in the cafeteria together and talk about anything and everything.   Most people don't know that John was a talented artist in his own right. I still have one of the paintings he made for me. During our junior high and high school years, he was very concerned and worried that people would find out his sexual orientation and would shun him for it. I was one of the first people he confided in. I told him that if people didn't like him for he was, then they weren't his true friends to begin with anyway. John finally felt comfortable telling others. And he saw that his true friends stood by him. His death was a shock to me! His legacy of friendship and music is one that will always stay with me. I love him so much for that! -- Marsha Jones - submitted April 30, 2002

I will never forget John Diprima. He was a true "gentlman" with a heart the size of Kansas. I am so happy to read that he had a good life. I always thought one of his true gifts was his singing voice. John was a "star" on the stage. -- Connie Sabernick Siegler - submitted May 1, 2002

My best memories of John were from choir and Bye-Bye Birdie and a talent show at Minerva Deland school singing Barry Manilow - I Write the Songs - I accompanied him on the piano - still have the sheet music somewhere in my piano bench he signed as a valid "autographed copy."  Always had a fantastic smile and zest for life that could bring sunshine to brighten anyone's day. He loved music and sang from the heart with passion. I was genuinely shocked to learn of his death. He was one of the best people I had the honor of knowing....... -- Cyndi Kibbe Mackewicz - submitted May 13, 2002

Dear Classmates of 1980: Both Mr. DiPrima and myself were very happy to see that John's friends remembered him with such good thoughts. John was very enthusiastic about life - he fought very hard right to the end to maintain a positive outlook. He contributed much love and caring to his family and was very involved in our lives and us in his. He is missed very much by his brother and sisters and niece and nephews. Our lives are all the much richer for having loved him. God Bless all of you. -- Mike & Judy DiPrima (John's parents)    & The DiPrima Family - submitted May 23, 2002       Send the DiPrima Family an email

I remember John singing during one of our shows at Minerva Deland. His song gave me one of my first opportunities to queue lights to key changes in a song. And even though I blasted him with light, he just kept right on going. -- William Washburn - submitted July 26, 2002

John was my friend for many years in school. We had fun being in drama & choir together. God blessed him with a lot of talent! He had a smile that would brighten a room, and was so friendly to everyone. I am blessed to have known John, we had many heart-felt chats and often prayed together. I often think of him and miss him not being here with us any longer. I pray for his family as I know the sadness they must feel as they miss him, too! He loved to laugh and enjoyed life to the fullest. Although God took him at a young age, I pray we will all be together again someday in glory! -- Lori Laurro - submitted September 5, 2002

I didn't know the guy. I just feel good that the only other John DiPrima I knew of seemed to be a really cool guy. I'm proud to have the name. -- From an Internet visitor named John T. DiPrima

John was a wonderful friend of mine. We met in junior high. I would love to hear him sing and we had the most wonderful conversations. Boy did we laugh a lot. He use to love to tease me and gave me the nickname "ducky" that I am still called today. I am deeply saddened to hear of his death and I know that he is making the heavens laugh and that his beautiful voice is singing. -- Laura Vuillemot-Reeves

I will never forget going to the school plays to hear John sing. He had a great voice, acted well and was the most compassionate person I have ever met. You have left an imprint on my soul forever, John. -- Laurie Robinson Moldenhauer

John and I became good friends while at Minerva Deland. I can still remember his laugh and it brings a a smile to my face. We had a lot of fun during the play "Bye Bye Birdie" - he had a wonderful singing voice - a true artist. He was such a caring person and I feel very fortunate to have been friends with him. -- Jackie Sutton Kosten  - May 16, 2005

I did not know of John's passing and I am heartbroken by the news. I too became friends with John as Conrad in the Bye Bye Birdie production. He was a great mentor at the time and had influence on me continuing in Music and Drama for a number of years. I pulled out a scrapbook the other day and showed my daughter the pictures I had of that play. I remember John shaking up a prop "beer can" that I was supposed to open on stage for effect and having it spray the entire orchestra pit during one of the performances.   -- Greg Worthington - FHS '81 - February 27, 2008

 

Last Update: 10/02/2008