Saturday, November 14, 2026
Our beloved husband, father and grandfather, John DeMado, 77, of Marco Island, Florida and Port Clyde, Maine passed away April 22, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer. John leaves behind his wife Jane Eyre of 55 years, sons Timothy, Andrew and Matthew, three grandchildren, Jackson, Gavin and Tanner and three daughters-in-law, Kim, Sharon and Emily. He was predeceased by son, Adam John De Mado.
Born in East Orange, New Jersey on November 12, 1946, John became an Eagle Scout as a young man and embraced their principles and followed their objectives with persistence and discipline throughout his life.
Beginning with his foreign language studies in high school, John attended Montclair University in Upper Montclair, New Jersey. There, he received his BA and teaching certification. During that time, John was selected to participate in an immersion experience in Grenoble, France sponsored by Princeton University. He began his French and Spanish teaching career in the state of New Jersey, simultaneously completing his MA degree in French language and literature at Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vermont. John then undertook his second French and Spanish teaching assignment in Connecticut. He also served on his local Board of Education, spearheading a successful campaign to implement a K-5, content-related Spanish program.
After several years of classroom experience in both public and independent schools, John began his career in educational publishing, serving as Senior National Consultant for Foreign Language and ESL, Foreign Language Marketing Manager and Editorial Director for Foreign Languages. John authored several textbook programs in French, Spanish and ESL, as well as composed and recorded a series of instructional French and Spanish rap songs.
Since 1993, John directed John De Mado Language Seminars LLC, a full-service consulting firm dealing exclusively with language acquisition issues. John had also consulted to the US Department of Defense Schools in Europe and conducted workshops in all 50 states as well as abroad. John will always be known for his motivational keynotes, provocative conference sessions and staff development workshops. He blazed a trail in world languages that has never been duplicated. He was a leader. He was an innovator. He was legendary.
For over 50 years John spent his summers at the family camp on Hupper Island, Port Clyde, Maine. This isolated island has provided countless opportunities for his three sons and grandsons; independence, resiliency, work ethic, love of nature and family experiences have all contributed to their personal growth and character.
Since 2001 John wintered on Marco Island, Florida.Being a member of the Marco Men’s Club, he directed the speaker’s bureau for over12 years. Most recently he developed “Marco John,” a local driver service, delighting all his passengers with engaging conversation and quick wit.
One might ask what did John love? He loved parties, traveling, antique cars, clamming, conversation, writing, fixing things, dancing, ice hockey and most of all his wife Jane, his three sons and grandsons. A lifelong advocate for free thought, thinking “outside the box,” John had an extraordinary ability to connect with people of all walks of life, both professionally and privately.He believed in risk-taking, never giving up, being resourceful and being a good listener. Always smiling with a sense of humor, he lit up any room he entered. All who knew him were impacted by his presence and better for it…he was truly a renaissance man.
A celebration of John’s life will be held on Saturday July 27, 2024, at 1:00 PM at The First Congregational Church of Washington, Connecticut. All are welcome.
If you would like to donate in John’s memory, two funds have been established. Contributions can be sent to: Attn: John De Mado’s Memorial, Middlebury Language Schools, 356 College St., Sunderland Language Center, Middlebury, VT. 05753. Or Attn: John De Mado’s Memorial, St. George Volunteer Fireman’s Association, P.O. Box 249, Tenants Harbor, ME 04860.
5/16/2024 Coastal Breeze News
