John Andrew Dezio

1942 - 2021

John Andrew Dezio

July 16, 1942 - July 6, 2021

John Andrew Dezio, 78, of Charlottesville, Virginia, passed away on Tuesday, July 6, 2021, at his home. He was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, on July 16, 1942, to Andrew Dezio and Olga Virginia Funari Dezio.

He graduated from Linsly Military Institute in Wheeling in 1960, where he excelled as a student and an athlete. He attended The George Washington University for one year before transferring to the University of Virginia, where he played football and ran track while earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1964. He received his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1967.

Following law school, John taught Latin and math at Madison County High School for two years, where he started the track team and was an assistant football coach. He then built and ran a thriving law practice in Charlottesville for more than 50 years. He was well respected by clients for his professionalism, strong work ethic, and integrity. During his career, he also served as Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney and Commonwealth's Attorney of Albemarle County for a decade. He was a longstanding member of the Charlottesville/Albemarle Bar Association and the Virginia State Bar Association, serving on multiple committees and presenting at numerous continuing legal education seminars. He was especially proud of his work on the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board.

In addition to his legal career, John played an active role in the community. He served on the boards of directors for many organizations, including the Charlottesville Dogwood Festival, Charlottesville Legal Aid Society, CATEC Foundation, Charlottesville Economic Development Authority, Stony Point Volunteer Fire Company, The Covenant School, The Senior Center, and Bridge Ministry. He was also an advisory board member for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at UVA. He volunteered as a youth football coach and was the longtime starter at track meets for the University of Virginia and local high schools, including the NCAA National Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships and the Dogwood Track Classic.

Throughout his life, John held a strong faith in God. He was an active member at First Baptist Church in Charlottesville where he served as Deacon and Moderator and developed many meaningful relationships. He particularly enjoyed mission trips to Uganda as well as the FAITH Riders Motorcycle Ministry at Daytona Beach Bike Week.

John enjoyed athletic pursuits throughout his life. He was an avid tennis player, enjoying a weekly round of tennis well into his final year, and he completed two Richmond Marathons in his sixties. He relished any opportunity to watch baseball and was a lifelong fan of the Cleveland Indians. He and his wife, Denise, enjoyed traveling extensively, including RV adventures across the United States and trips abroad.

John is survived by his wife of 38 years, Denise Dezio; daughters, Clea Dezio (Jeffrey Mulfinger), Brooke Dezio (Eric Sartain), and Ashley Doherty (Paul); son, Christopher Dezio; and beloved grandchildren, Benjamin and William Mulfinger, Spence and Creighton Doherty, and Cayden and McKinleigh Dezio. He is also survived by brothers, Lawrence Dezio (Grace) and Richard Dezio (Kathleen); brother-in-law, Craig Henderson; niece, Jennifer Henderson, and many other nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, July 12, 2021, at 2 p.m., at First Baptist Church, Park Street, Charlottesville, with Pastor Rob Pochek officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 12:30 p.m. until the start of the service. A private interment will follow the service.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, July 11, 2021, from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. at J.F. Bell Funeral Home Chapel, 108 6th St. N.W.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John's name to FCA UVA, The Linsly School, or Mission Link International.

Arrangements by J. F. Bell Funeral Home Inc. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guestbook at www.jfbellfuneralservices.com.

J F Bell Funeral Home

108 6th St. N.W., Charlottesville, Va.