John N. Minichino Sr.
October 18, 1945 - June 11, 2018
John Neil Minichino Sr., age 72, beloved husband of Suzanne, passed away June 11, 2018 at home surrounded by family in Sandy, Utah. John fought a valiant 25 year battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
John was born on October 18, 1945, to George and Marie Jean (DiPasquale) Minichino. John grew up in a predominantly Italian-American neighborhood in South Philadelphia. Mass, Catholic school, serving as an altar boy, Boy Scouts, authentic Italian food, and delivering newspapers were staples of his childhood. Back before anyone knew what Jersey Shore meant, John spent his childhood summers with extended family in Ocean City, New Jersey.
He graduated from Bishop John Neuman High School in 1963. He took advantage of the GI Bill and earned a degree in Russian from Syracuse University. The United States Air Force assigned John to be a cryptologist intercepting Russian conversations aboard a C-130 during the Cold War. The daring cryptologists who flew dangerous missions on the brink of enemy territory were known as the Prop Wash Gang and lived by the mantra Freedom Through Vigilance.
In 1972, John hired on as a Special Agent with ATF in Philadelphia. Born with the gift of gab and refined on the streets of Philadelphia, John had the ability to convince criminals that he was their friend. In an undercover capacity, they agreed to sell him illegal silencers, machineguns, short-barrel weapons, or take a job as a supposed hitman. One defendant paid him a great compliment by saying that his undercover work deserved an Academy Award. While off duty for an undercover assignment in Pittsburgh, John met his future wife, Suzanne. John worked on several high profile cases including the Unabomber bombing at the University of Utah and MOVE (first John Africa federal case) in Philadelphia.
With his degree and experience in Russian, John was detailed from ATF over to the Secret Service for several of the US-USSR peace talks. In this capacity, John was honored to meet President Ronald Reagan in 1988 and President George H.W. Bush in 1990. When the peace talks were hosted in Moscow, his family was astonished to receive a call from John while he was inside the Kremlin.
John retired from ATF in February 1997 as the Resident Agent in Charge for Utah. He received numerous professional awards. Shortly after retiring from ATF, John began his second career as a criminal justice instructor at Salt Lake Community College.
John loved living in the American West and lived the last 28 years of his life in Sandy, Utah. John still held one allegiance to Philadelphia, he would purchase cannolis from Termini Brothers Bakery and have them shipped on ice to Utah.
John is survived by his wife of 45 years Suzanne; sons John (Daché) Minichino Jr, Michael (Jenny) Minichino; daughter Tiffany (Rawl) Wharton; sister Rosemarie Druch; nephew Leon Druch; seven grandchildren; numerous extended family members, and cherished pets.
John will be remembered as a loving husband, selfless father, doting grandfather, loyal friend, man of integrity, and true American patriot.
The family would like to thank the following medical professionals: Dr. Barclay Bigelow, Dr. Gregory Litton, Dr. Kent DiFiore, Dr. Martha Glenn, many dedicated nurses, and the staff of Millcreek Hospice.
A celebration of his life will be held on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East. Guests are encouraged to use the complimentary valet parking on the north side of the building. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 20, 2018 at 11:00 AM at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 2315 East Redondo, Salt Lake City. Interment to follow at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road 10600 South, Sandy.
In Loving Memory
When I was very young, growing up in Ocean City, NJ, hearing that Johnny would be making a visit to town was always interesting. He always seemed to be going somewhere and doing something that all of us wanted to do. As we all got older, and began to visit together less often, our family reunions were the chances to catch up with John's latest adventure. When spreading the word of a planned gathering, the first question on everyone's lips was "Is Johnny coming?" Perhaps what I'll miss the most is his mischievous smile which he would flash just before he began his torment of Neil. I will miss you greatly as will all of our family.
Mario Minichino
Hartford, CT
My sympathy and heart go out to all of the Minichinos on the loss of John. What a nice man he was! I was lucky to meet him because of Jenny and Mike. I know he'll be missed. He was just so nice all the time. We had great conversations about their dogs, he would tell me what they like or didn't like. God bless John and the entire Minichino family, you're in our hearts and thoughts at this difficult time. With love and sympathy, Margie and Brock
Margie Madden
Salt Lake City, Ut
Our daughter Jenny's Father-in-law, a great man and friend. We always looked forward to visiting with him and Suzanne at family get-together's. We are so glad that John and Suzanne found each other, for they were a perfect match. We will miss you John.
Charllot Petersen
Salt Lake, Ut
Neumann63 My sincere condolences to John's family. I will be saying prayers for John and family. May he Rest In Peace.
Paul Martinelli
Sewell, NJ
John was a great guy and an excellent supervisor. We worked on several cases together with ties to the ATF Albuquerque Field Office. If you had a problem that he could help with, he would make your problem HIS problem. Those people are rare indeed. Thanks John!
Carl Bengtson
Mt Julet, TN
Dear Mrs. Minichino and family: I first came to know John when we worked together while I was an Assistant United States Attorney and he was with the ATF in Salt Lake. We later met again when he was instrumental in helping to hire me to teach at Salt Lake Community College. In all of my associations with John he was a wonderful person with a wonderful personality and MANY wonderful stories. He was a constant friend and fierce defender of truth and justice. I will miss him, his smile and his wonderful sense of humor. Best wishes and condolences to all of you. Joe Anderson
Joe Anderson
Salt Lake City, Ut
I first met John because he was my boss in the ATF Salt Lake City, UT, Field Office from 1990-1993. It didn't take long to develop a solid professional & personal relationship with him. He was an excellent leader of our office, and my friendship with him continued throughout the rest of his life. I'm so glad that my wife, Sam, and I, had the pleasure to visit John & Suzanne at their house last July of 2017. John will be missed by not only his family, but his many friends and former co-workers. He was truly a great law enforcement professional. On behalf of my family, rest easy John, you did good.
Bob Boland
Madison, AL
I was introduced to "Gentleman John" when he was first assigned to Salt Lake city ATF office. He was always, "Gentleman John", a great American, a professional investigator and a wonderful friend. My sincere condolences to the Minichino family. God bless.
Wayne Firnkoess
Seattle, WA
Sending so much love to the Minichino family. Thinking of all of you. I love John's smile in all these photos. What a wonderful life!
Emma Wharton
Flagstaff, AZ
My best cousin and brother. The days we spent together from being so young and fun loving to the days of now with many years of things to remember, both good and not so good. I will miss the conversations we had every week on the phone to the get togethers we had now and then. Save a place on that cloud for me John for I will tag up with you once again someday. Chick
Neil Minichino Sr
Pennsville, NJ
I just discovered John’s passing in 2018 and am filled with thoughts of our work together at ATF. We were new Agents working together out of the Philadelphia office of ATF. We made our first arrest together during an undercover assignment in Easton, PA. John was a fine man, a terrific agent, a true gentleman and friend. I am saddened by our loss. RIP Johnny.
Dennis Clark
Boerne, TX