John Joseph Vergot, Jr.

John J. Vergot, Jr., 85, of Hollywood, Maryland, passed away peacefully at home on August 3, 2026.

Born on January 16, 1941, in York, Pennsylvania, John was the son of the late John J. Vergot, Sr. and Elizabeth Vergot. He grew up in Cheverly, Maryland, where he attended DeMatha High School and graduated before embarking on a life marked by service, hard work, independence, and more than a little personality.

Straight out of high school, John joined the U.S. Navy and proudly answered the call to serve his country. Following his military service, he continued his career as a civilian employee working for the Federal Government, supporting the Department of Defense. After more than 35 years of dedicated service, John retired from Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) at NAS Patuxent River, where he built a long and respected career.

John’s life was about so much more than his work and career.

He was a true outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and hunting, and he had a lifelong appreciation for nature and the simple pleasures in life. He was also an amateur radio enthusiast, an avid Redskin fan who enjoyed football Sundays with family and friends, devoted Frank Sinatra super-fan, and, in his own special category, something of a “Martiniologist”. John appreciated a good martini, good music, a day of fun and laughter with family and friends and doing things his own way.

And that was John’s greatest trademark—he lived life his way.

In his later years, John became especially drawn to simplicity and nature. He often talked about his plans for the future, including his much-discussed dream of ‘Living off the Grid.’ Whether that meant escaping the hustle and bustle, enjoying the quiet of nature, or simply doing things on his own terms, anyone who knew John knew that once he had something on his mind, there was little chance of changing it—and an even better chance that he intended to see it through.

John will be lovingly remembered and missed by his two daughters, Darlene Blend and Denise Reece; his grandchildren, Kenneth Lagana, Danielle Lagana, Alec Reece, Amanda Reece, and Alyssa Reece. His grandchildren affectionately called him “Goomba Pop Pop,” a name that became uniquely his over the years. He is also survived by his cherished twin sister, Joan Yates; his beloved fur baby, Brandie; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John J. Vergot, Sr. and Elizabeth Vergot; his sisters, Elaine Resnick, Patricia Philips; and his brother, Michael Vergot.

John leaves behind a lifetime of memories; some tender, some funny, and some perhaps a little unconventional, but all uniquely his.

The most fitting way to say goodbye to John is to let John have the final word.

A lifelong Frank Sinatra fan, he often spoke of wanting to be remembered as a man who lived life on his own terms. And if John could choose the soundtrack for his final farewell, there is little doubt about which song would be playing.

In his best Sinatra singing voice, perhaps he would look back on the road he traveled and sing:

I’ve lived a life that’s full.
I’ve traveled each and every highway.
And more, much more than this…

Then, with that familiar confidence that was so uniquely John, he would raise his glass, tip his hat, and give us his final line:

“I did it my way.”

And he did.

He served his country.
He worked hard.
He chased fish and game, enjoyed the quiet of nature, pursued the airwaves, loved his Sinatra, enjoyed football Sunday’s, dreamed of living off the grid, and found his own unique way through this thing called life.

It wasn’t always the road most traveled, and it certainly wasn’t always a straight one, but it was his road.

His life.
His story.
His adventures.
His way.

And now, as the music fades and John has faced his final curtain, we can picture him at his heavenly home in paradise, surrounded by peace, nature, family and friends that have gone before him, and an endless horizon, with a perfectly chilled martini in hand and Sinatra playing softly in the distance.

Farewell, Dad, we love you and will miss you, until we meet again.

You lived a life that was unmistakably, unapologetically, and wonderfully your own.

YOU DID IT YOUR WAY!

In Lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hollywood Volunteer Rescue Squad (P.O. Box 7, Hollywood, MD 20636)

All services will be private.

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.