John Herman

Herman, John W.
John W. Herman, 85, a lifelong resident of Stamford passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Friday, January 16, 2015. He was born in Stamford on July 15, 1929 to Mary Inzitari Herman and the late Walter W. Herman.
John was an active member of the Stamford High School class of 1947. He served his country in the 43rd Infantry Division 192nd Field Artillery Bn. as a Master Sergeant during the Korean War. He began his professional career in the autobody business alongside his father. He worked at Loh Ford and then joined Redmond Chevrolet as Manager of their Marine Division. In 1967 he founded and was president of Shippan Shore Marina. In 1972 he established John W. Herman Marine Center, Inc. and presided as its president for the remainder of his career. He was one of the original Boston Whaler dealers and well respected for being among the top quality dealerships in the country. He served on the Advisory Boards of Boston Whaler and OMC/Johnson Outboards.
John was a lifetime member of both the Halloween and Ponus Yacht Clubs and St. Mary's RC Church in Stamford. He designed his own home on Westcott Cove, where he lived his dream for the past 47 years. In retirement, his home was his hobby. His recreational time was spent on the waters of Long Island Sound boating, sailing, and skiing with his children, grandchildren and friends. He taught countless numbers of children and friends how to waterski and handle a boat, which brought him much joy. Another favorite pastime was traveling with his wife and family in his motorhome to the National Parks, sandy beaches and snow covered mountains. His greatest accomplishment in life was his family; they meant the world to him.
In addition to his mother Mary, John is survived by his devoted wife of 64 years, Victoria Gostomski Herman; a son John W. Herman, Jr. and his wife Mary Katherine; a daughter Vicki Ann Druehl and her husband William III; and a son-in-law John Parrish and his wife Maureen. His pride and joy were his 10 grandchildren, Christine Herman Velazquez and her husband Alfonso; John III and his fiancé Lindsay Walter, and Daniel Herman; Michelle, Kathryn, and Leigh Parrish and their brother Brian; and Victoria, William IV, Heidi, and Natalie Druehl.
Besides his father, John was predeceased by his daughter Tama Herman Parrish and his sister Rochelle Herman Schiller.
A funeral procession will be leaving the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 9:45 AM for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:30 AM at St. Mary's RC Church, 566 Elm Street, Stamford. Interment will follow at Spring Grove Cemetery, Darien. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Friday, January 23, 2015 from 4:00-8:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in John's memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675, or to the Bennett Cancer Center, c/o Stamford Hospital Foundation, 1351 Washington Blvd, Stamford, CT 06902.
To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com