John Ignatius "Johnny" Armsworthy

john armsworthy

October 22, 1940 ~ August 14, 2022

John Ignatius Armsworthy, Sr. “Johnny”, 81, of California, MD, passed away on August 14, 2022 at his residence. Born on October 22, 1940 in Great Mills, MD, he was the son of the late Evelyn Anna Mae Armsworthy and the late William Ignatius Armsworthy, Jr. Johnny was the loving husband of Dorothy Lorraine Armsworthy, whom he married in St. John’s Catholic Church, Hollywood, MD, on June 12, 1965. He is survived by his son, John I. “Jay” Armsworthy, Jr. of California, MD and his daughter-in-law Michelle Armsworthy of California, MD. In addition to his parents, Johnny was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Ann Adkins, and his brother-in-law Jimmy Adkins. Johnny was a lifelong St. Mary’s County, MD resident and attended Great Mills High School, Great Mills, MD. He was a genuine man who loved everyone, and everyone loved him. There was nothing fake about him. He was a family man who worked hard for what he had. In 1965, he married the love of his life, Lorraine, who stood by his side until the end. He loved his son, Jay, and daughter-in-law, Michelle. There was nothing in life that he loved more than to be with the three of them. He enjoyed his grand-dogs, Billy and Odie. He worked for Safeway for 30 years, retiring from his position as Dairy Manager in 1990. After a brief retirement, he went to work at the St. Mary’s County Government as the first attendant to open the St. Andrews Transfer station. He later transferred to Building Services and always said it was the best job he ever had. Unfortunately, a work injury forced him to retire on disability in 2000. He enjoyed camping and going to Bluegrass festivals, hanging out with his Bluegrass friends, riding around on his golf cart and drinking his Miller Lite beer. He was proud of his son and supported everything he did in Bluegrass music. He loved to watch westerns on TV, and everyone loved the way he talked and would laugh at the countless stories he would tell of his life experiences. He could tell you a story from the beginning to the end, and could remember things from long ago, back from his younger days. Johnny got to attend one last family vacation with a cruise to Alaska just before he passed away. The family will receive friends on Monday, August 22, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM with prayers recited at 7:00 PM, followed by Moose Prayers at 7:15 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 23, 2022 at 10:00AM in St. John’s Catholic Church, Hollywood, MD, with Father Ray Schmidt officiating. Interment will follow in the Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD. Serving as pallbearers will be Troy Jones, Jim Bailey, James Woodburn, Walley Abell, Chucky Thompson, and Woody Norris. Honorary pallbearers will be Johnny Adams, Honky Johnson, and Bucky Readmond. Contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Mary’s and Hollywood Volunteer Rescue Squad. Condolences may be made to the family at www.mgfh.com. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.

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  1. To the family
    My sympathy goes out to all of the family
    May the lord give Peace & Comfort to all he has left behind and I pray
    for strength and healing in the days to come God Bless

  2. Jay. I was sorry to hear about the death of your father. Death is only one day in a life. Remember the years of his life, and his contributions and good times with family and friends. Ed Scherr

  3. Please accept our sincere condolences on Johnny’s passing. I worked with him at the county and he was a joy to work with.
    John & Elise Thompson

  4. Johnny knew me my whole life. Memories of him caring my dad Charles Thompson SR to so many Bluegrass festivals and Johnny drinking cold miller lite and listening to the jam sessions all through the night are priceless . Johnny was a great friend to me and my dad and I can say my dad cherished their friend ship. Johnny’s love and support of his family and Bluegrass music never waivered he was true to he was. R.I.P Johnny tell my dad hello up their in heave and play something pretty .We will see you again one day

  5. Mr. Armsworthy was always nice to me at bluegrass events. He was so proud of his family. That love will go on forever. My deepest sympathy.

  6. Mary Washington, Board of Education says:

    Mr. Armsworthy was an outstanding citizen. He was friendly and always had a welcoming attitude and a good conversation. He loved everyone. He will be missed. Thoughts and prayers to the family.

  7. Mark and Claudia Unkle says:

    We always enjoyed listening to Johnny’s stories. He will truly be missed. Our sincere condolences to Lorraine, Jay and Michelle.

  8. Dear Lorraine , Jay and Michelle
    Our most sincere and deepest condolence on the death of Johnny. He was a friendly guy who always knew you wherever he saw you. He did much for his love of Bluegrass and shared it with everyone he met. May God bless you all and may all the wonderful memories you have of him help you through this sad time. May God give Johnny eternal rest and may he sing with the angels.
    Sincerely
    Wayne and Joan

  9. My Thoughts and prayers to the family.

  10. My thoughts and prayers are with Johnny’s family! He was a true friend to all!! He will be missed. RIP ….

  11. Gertrude Norris and Girls says:

    To Lorraine, Jay and family. Sorry to hear of Mr. Armsworthy passing. Hold onto all the wonderful memories. May God help you through the days ahead. May he rest in peace. God Bless the Family.

    Gertrude and Girls

  12. I didn’t know him except as an attendee at Jay’s bluegrass shows. He seemed know everyone and was liked by all. Reading about his employment, I can see why he knew everyone. Sending my condolences. RIP.

  13. Evelyn ''Beanie" Bean says:

    Lorraine, Jay and Michelle, Sorry for the loss of Johnny. Enjoyed all the times at bluegrass shows and listening to his stories. Prayers for all and keep all the great memories close at heart! RIP Johnny! Sincerely Beanie

  14. Kim Woodburn Ferguson and Mike and boys, Mikey and Bradley says:

    Uncle Johnny was definitely one of a kind. He always had a smile on his face, grinning from ear to ear, and always had the best of stories to tell. Each story was made even better between Johnny’s animation, Southern drawl, and his unique 7th District dialect. Uncle Johnny was a funny, happy, kind, caring, and straightforward man. He took so much pride in his wife, Aunt Rainy Girl, his son, Jay, and his Daughter-in-law, Michelle. He definitely loved bluegrass music and loved nothing more than listening to Jay and his band playing bluegrass. I have so many fond memories of Uncle Johnny and in every single one, he was grinning and happy. He left behind shoes that can never be filled. He was definitely more than just one of a kind. He was unique in every way and will forever be missed by so many. My heart goes out to Aunt Rainy Girl, Jay, and Michelle. I know there is a great big painful hole in each of your hearts that will never go away, but, I pray that every time you think of him that you can smile because he left you guys with so many wonderful memories and I guarantee you, in darn near every single one of them, he was either grinning or smiling ear to ear.
    Love,
    Kim

  15. Heartbroken to hear about the loss of perhaps my favorite customer. I miss talking with you my friend.


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