John Joseph Spisak

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of John J. Spisak Jr., a lifelong Prince George’s County resident, who passed away suddenly on 10/28/2025. John was the first born child to John J. Spisak Sr. of Larksville, PA and Sylvia Jean Welsh of Gap Mills, WV. He was born in P.G. Hospital and lived the majority of his life in Mt. Rainier, Brentwood, Hyattsville and lastly Beltsville, MD where he resided with his girlfriend Shawn Coward and his brother Joe. The first of five children, John was followed by two brothers and two sisters: Joseph Stuart Spisak, Rossie Victoria Jaso, Michael David Spisak and Rita Marie Echard. John and his siblings suffered the loss of their father at a young age in 1967. They were later blessed when their mother met a gentleman by the name of Robert E. Warwick at an American Legion event. Mr. Warwick (Bob) would become their dad when he and Sylvia wed in May 1968. Bob raised them all as if they were his own. Growing up John made many life long friends while participating in sports in the HMB Boys & Girls Club and while attending Thomas Stone Elementary School, Ager Road Elementary, Nicholas Orem Jr. High and finally graduating from Northwestern High School in 1975. 

The Spisak family was very involved with the American Legion since both father figures were Navy and Air Force men. The parents were members of Post 110 in Mt. Rainier and Post 131 in Colmar Manor and participated in many community events. Robert Warwick ascended to commander status at Post 110 Huntemann and Huff and his boys became members of Sons of the American Legion. Sylvia Warwick was a life member and previous president of the Women’s Auxiliary.

John was instilled with a strong work ethic. He began working at a young age and started that journey with his first job in the mail room at the Dept of Agriculture next to P.G. Plaza. His love of cars soon changed his career path and he worked many jobs in the automotive service industry at stations such as Arco (Jerry’s towing), Johnny’s Amoco, Citgo of Ager Rd and P.G. Plaza Exxon and was a route driver for Cintas Uniform Services. For a change of pace John learned meat processing and held positions at Capital Meats, Auth Brothers and Saval Foods. He returned to the vehicle service industry and worked many years for Jiffy Lube which he retired from in 2024.

As mentioned above, John had a love of cars and motorcycles from his first 1965 Ford Mustang to his last a Mercury Grand Marquis and many in between. Many days were spent working on his vehicles and there are lots of stories to prove it, including one which ended in a visit to the ER. He had a fascination with model cars and always wished he had the skills for this hobby but greatly appreciated those that did. His love of motorcycles was notorious but ended after his life changing accident in July of 1979 on his 1978 KZ 1000. After a long recovery John was asked to give up this hobby and he held to his promise. Another of John’s interests was billiards and he played many games at the old Golden Cue pool hall in Bladensburg. Let’s not forget the card games which were always a staple in the Spisak family and John was known to be the champ at the game Kings Corner. If you knew John, then you knew he was a die hard Dallas Cowboys fan. In a household of Redskins, Packers and Chiefs fans this led to many a heated debate over the years. Probably more than anything else mentioned, John loved food and he could eat you under the table. Of all the things out there he picked hot dogs as a favorite. Don’t think he ever had a hot dog he didn’t like.

On May 8th of 1982 John married Lorraine (Lorrie) Deahn Smith at the Mt. Rainier Christian Church with both families in attendance. On July 28th the following year they welcomed a son, Jason Robert Spisak, into their world. A grown man now, Jason (Jay) and his wife Laura Parry Spisak have created their own branch on the family tree with their two children Evan and Natalie. 

John Joseph Spisak Jr. was a cherished first born son, a beloved brother, a dear nephew, a father and grandfather, an uncle, a brother-in-law, a companion and a valued friend to many. You will be missed John.