John Vaio, age 82, Emeritus Professor of Classical Studies at the University of Illinois, Chicago, passed away on Nov. 19, 2021, after a struggle with pancreatic cancer.
John graduated summa cum laude from Columbia College in New York in 1961, and was featured on the cover of Time magazine for giving his Class Valedictorian speech in Latin. He studied at Oxford University under a Marshall Scholarship, receiving his Masters Degree with first class honors. He completed his Doctorate in Classical Studies at Columbia University and subsequently taught there as an assistant professor. He accepted the chairmanship of the Department of Classics at UIC in 1975.
John is survived by his wife, Evelyn Moore; his stepsons, Adam S. Moore and Andrea R. Costa; and his beloved grandchildren, Conan, Alyssa, Logan and Mason. His family and friends will miss his passion for life, for music, his devotion to our family, as well as his great kindness and humor.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 1, at St. Anne of the Dunes Chapel in Beverly Shores, Indiana. Family visitation from 10 a.m. and service at 11 a.m. https://www. st-ann-of-the-dunes.org/
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
4 Entries
Larry Lahey
December 22, 2023
I am sorry to learn belatedly of Prof. Vaio's passing. He was my Greek teacher at UIC in the early 1990s. He was gracious enough also to do an independent study reading course with me on the Acts of the Apostles, which was not his regular area of interest. I was constantly impressed by his deep knowledge of the Greek language. RIP.
Cliff Weber
October 14, 2022
I was just now shocked to come upon John's obituary online. If this reaches you, Eve, I feel very sorry for you,
though it has also brought some joy to read that, when John's life ended, you and he were a happily married couple with a bevy of grandchildren. Kuniko and I have emigrated to Japan. If Japan is ever on your itinerary,
do let me know. My address can be found on my faculty page at www.kenyon.edu.
Jack Davis
May 15, 2022
My sympathy to Eve. I remember John´s many kindnesses to me academic and personal, from the day he hired me at UIC.
Mollie Muldoon Wiegand
November 27, 2021
St. Anne´s was my parish when I grew up in Beverly Shores. I graduated from Indiana University in 1970 with a degree enabling me to teach Latin in high school. I would have enjoyed discussing his career over a cup of tea. My condolences to his family. May your happy memories sustain you at this difficult time.
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