John Edward Reggio

John Edward Reggio, 83, of Scottsdale, Arizona passed away on September 22, 2025, after a long struggle with Parkinson's. John was a devoted husband to Daniela Reggio and a loving father to Nicole Reggio Kustner and Barbara Reggio O'Meara.

John was born on April 11, 1942, in the small Italian town of Castelnuovo Belbo, which is in the Province of Asti in northern Italy. He immigrated to America with his mother, Teresa, his father Armando, and his brother Denice in 1950, when he was eight years old. His favorite things to do as a child were to play street hockey and stickball, and he always shared stories about going to Madison Square Garden after New York Rangers games with his friends hoping to get hockey sticks that the players would give away. Even though he knew no English when he moved here, John immersed himself in school, where he worked hard enough to eventually earn himself a scholarship to attend Fordham University. He graduated with a degree in Economics in 1965. John married his wife, Daniela on April 21, 1968, and they raised two wonderful daughters.

John had an extensive career in Marketing with several major companies in the travel industry. He started his career with American Airlines in 1967 in New York City and continued his career with Pan Am, Holland America Cruises, and New York Air. In 1984, John started working as Vice President of Marketing at Doubletree Hotels, in Scottsdale, AZ. One of his biggest accomplishments at Doubletree Hotels was beginning the company's tradition of a warm, homemade cookie brought to hotel guests during turn-down service. The Doubletree cookies are still a signature staple in that company today.

When he left Doubletree Hotels in 1987, John and his wife Daniela opened an Alphagraphics print shop, which later became Benchmark Printing when they decided to leave the franchise. John and Daniela sold the printshop in 2008 to begin their retirement.

Despite his many responsibilities and dedication to his work, he always made time for his family and his passions. John was always an avid reader. He read anything and everything relating to history, and he was always thirsty for more knowledge. Even when he couldn't read anymore later in his life, he continued to listen to audio books. When John and his family moved to Arizona, he developed an intense passion for hunting. Photography was another of John's life-long hobbies, and his talent could be seen when he photographed his family, his friends, the Arizona desert, but especially his four grandsons. Whenever the boys wouldn't smile for the camera, he would always say, "Don't you dare smile!" No one could ever keep a straight face…it worked every single time.

Though John may not have liked being the center of attention, he deserves to have his long years of fatherly love honored. He was a man of integrity, kindness, and generosity, and he left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him.

He is survived by his wife Daniela, two daughters and sons-in-law, Nicole and Bryan Kustner of Potomac, MD and Barbara and Stephen O'Meara of Boise, ID, four grandsons Jack Kustner, Charlie Kustner, Daniel O'Meara, and Sean O'Meara, as well as many friends and extended family members who will miss him dearly.

We find comfort in knowing that John's legacy lives on through the lessons he taught us, the love he shared, and the memories we will cherish forever.

A funeral service will be held on September 29, 2025, at 11:30 at Messinger Pinnacle Peak Mortuary, with a small burial ceremony at 1:00 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.