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JOHN WARNER Obituary

WARNER--John Berryman. On February 18, 2025, John died peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family, from complications of ALS disease. He was 72. He is survived by five siblings, Georgiana Warner Kaempfer, Alexandra Warner Nash, Andrew H. Warner of Washington, DC, Elizabeth Brown of Cabin John, MD, and Leta Warner Drakoulias of Los Angeles, CA, four stepsons, eight nieces and nephews, and seven grandnieces and nephews. He was born in Santiago, Chile during his father's foreign service career (the late William W. Warner), and lived in Chile, Guatemala, and Costa Rica, before returning to Washington, DC where he attended the Landon School. He graduated from St. Paul's School, attended NYU Film School, and lived in Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington, DC. He had a long career in the music business, working with bands such as Soul Asylum, Living Color, Lloyd Cole, Prefab Sprouts, The Romantics, and the Beastie Boys. He had a second career in the restaurant business, realizing a life- long dream to open a French bistro, Le Zinc, in Washington, DC in 2011. During the pandemic, he started a wood delivery business to help fill the need for safer outdoor gatherings; his shiny white Ford pickup truck with the "Warner Bros. Firewood" emblem was a frequent and welcome sight in his Palisades neighborhood and many other areas throughout the city. In the last years of his life he moved to Red Hook, Brooklyn, to pursue a new interest in woodworking. With his outgoing nature and boundless curiosity, he quickly became a fixture in the community. John will be remembered for his devotion to his family and many close friends, his generosity, kindness, intense desire to learn about everything interesting and new, his strong opinions, and the beautiful tables he made for his family shortly before he died. ALS robbed him of his ability to speak, to eat food, to work with his hands, to breathe without a machine, but couldn't dim his strong spirit and loving heart. A memorial service will be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers, contributions should be made to the ALS Association. www.als.org

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Published by New York Times on Mar. 2, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for JOHN WARNER

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Helen Glasser

March 20, 2025

My sincerest condolences to all the Warner family and all their spouses, his nieces & nephews, great nieces & nephews and his stepsons. He adored each and everyone of them. I was terribly sad & shocked to hear about his passing. My last text from John was December 25th and I had no idea there was anything wrong. He was a decent, honorable, charming, kind loving human being. He was so caring and loving to my children.
If anyone deserves to go through the golden gates it's him. May he rest in peace.
Love and prayers dear John to you in heaven.

Jane Soudavar

March 16, 2025

John was a very old friend of mine and I am so sorry that he became ill and died. He was the kindest , loveliest man and it is a shame. He loved his family and his friends and was loved in return.

Laura Morehead

March 12, 2025

Dearest John,what fun we had,thankyou for the fabulous
memories,loved you..
so sorry for your loss Georgie and Letà,and all the beautiful Warner family

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Denise Walch

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Denise Walch

March 9, 2025

My sincere & heart felt condolences to Johns family who he always spoke so highly of & with so much Love & Pride.
I had the pleasure of meeting & working with his sister Leta who Art Directed a few Music Videos i was stylist on.
I have been friends with John since the early 70's where we first met at Norma Kamali's Madison Ave. shop. And later on occasional "walk abouts" & visits to clubs, & art galleries in NYC & LA. Lunches & dinners at his favorite Keith McNally restaurants or Sant Ambroeus after The Met where he compiled hundreds of photos of artworks on his phone from many art exhibits.
A true Boulevardier, "John The Bon Vivant"
So many fond memories. I miss you my friend & will always keep you in my heart. R.I.P.

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Alison Jevremov

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Olvia

March 4, 2025

John had a great sense of humor, and was a warm, vibrant and charming person. Way to young to leave us.

Theresa Kulstad

March 3, 2025

How beautiful that he had so much love circle around him his final time. To his loving family and friends, sincere condolences.

Gregg Stone '71

March 3, 2025

A gentle and inquiring soul, taken too soon.

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Mary McMahon

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Cluster of 50 Memorial Trees

the mcmahon family

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Kate Orsini

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terry gruber

February 28, 2025

To a classmate at St Pauls, a dorm mate, drinking partner, lunch and dinner companion, and good friend, and all around cool dude. I will miss you.

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in memory of John B Warner

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Chris Bartle

February 28, 2025

I cannot believe John is gone. I feel as though I've been with him my whole life. He's everything described above and more - wry, caring, charming, skeptical, elegant. Up here for barely a month while woodworking, the neighbors with whom he stayed never stopped asking - when is he coming back? I also cannot believe the grace with which he went through the last months of his life. John, you were astonishingly brave.

Kayvan Freeman RN

February 28, 2025

He will be missed. Very special man with sense of humour!

Cindy Howar

February 28, 2025

So sorry for your loss. I knew a John for so many years and he was such an interesting, kindhearted person. May his soul rest in peace.

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Melinda Humphry Becker

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Lindy von Eichel

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