08/05/2025
Obituary
John Anthony Massaro, Aka “Wooly” or “Mustachio”, a beloved son, husband, father, and brother, peacefully passed away at his home, surrounded by his children, on July 31, 2025. When he left this life, he was reunited with the love of his life, Beth-Anne Porter Massaro, whose memory he cherished deeply.
Born in Orrville, Ohio, on January 11, 1953, to his parents John Roland Massaro and NeDean Ford Massaro, his father was in the military, and as a result, John spent his childhood moving several times, living in Utah and California.
After graduating high school, he served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Madrid, Spain. Following his mission, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University, graduating in 1980. While attending Nursing School at Weber State College in Ogden, Utah, John met and married the love of his life, Beth-Anne Porter, on June 12, 1981, in the Provo, Utah Temple. A short time later, they made St. George, Utah, their home, where they raised their eight children. Later, he and his wife Beth-Anne served two additional full-time missions together in Malaga, Spain, and Panama City, Panama. His service in the church was a lifelong commitment, marked by humility, kindness, and a willingness to serve others selflessly.
John spent his entire career working at IHC as a nurse. He spent the better part of the 80’s and 90’s as a hospice nurse traveling as far as Kanab, Enterprise, and Mesquite. He later worked in infusion therapy, becoming a professional at installing IV’s and PICC lines. John was a talented and compassionate nurse. He dedicated many years to caring for others. His nursing career reflected his gentle nature and his desire to serve others during their greatest times of need.
In appearance and spirit, he resembled characters like The Man from Snowy River, Indiana Jones, and Teddy Roosevelt. He loved to read. He spent many happy days in his childhood immersed in a book. He kept an extensive library of adventure books, fantasy, history, reference books, religious texts, and classics. He always said his favorite book was the Book of Mormon and he read it every year for most of his life.
John was responsible and caring as a boy and once a week he made meatloaf dinner for the family. He was very close to his siblings, and they were a family of loving brothers and sisters. He was a friendly, happy child. He loved cracking smiles and making people laugh, all his life, he was a big teaser. In middle school his mustache came in full and thick which earned him the nickname “Mustachio.”
John was always a big kid at heart. He would ask for Legos sets for his birthday as an adult. He had a beautiful collection of handmade competition tops. He collected antique glass and ceramic marbles and kept them in beautiful leather bags. He loved playing with his grandchildren and taught many of them how to play card games, checkers and chess.
His love of learning and adventure led him to achieve his Eagle Scout rank at age 15, and he remained a Scout for life—serving as a Scout Master and participating in adult leadership and training such as Wood Badge. As a young scout, he was the patrol leader of an award nominated troop. He went on 50 milers and many camps over the years. He was involved in his grandsons’ scouting up until just last year. He loved the outdoors and all things survival. He lived his life by the Scout motto: “Be Prepared.” If you ever looked in his trunk, you would see everything you would need to survive any type of situation.
He loved the outdoors, hiking, camping, and practicing survival skills. Over the years, he went on 50-milers, participated in many camps, and was involved with his grandson’s scouting. His motto was “Be Prepared,” and his trunk always contained everything needed to survive any situation.
John cherished outdoor activities with his family—hunting, camping, and canoeing. When his children were young, they would drive down to El Desemboque, Mexico, and camp right on the beach. He loved cooking with Dutch oven, and it was a special treat for the family. He loved wildlife and took time to learn to identify plants and animals, but his favorite were the birds. He loved going out at different times of the year to watch the bird migrations. He was part of the Anasazi Free trappers mountain man group. He instilled in his kids and grandkids a deep love and reverence for the outdoors.
John loved to travel, some marked destinations of his were Italy, Ireland, Mexico, San Diego, France, Washington, Texas, Montana, Oregon, and the 4 Corners. He was always fascinated with travel by train, and he once traveled from White Fish, MT to Seattle, WA and back on the Empire Builder Train. Most of his adventures were nearby and his most treasured memories were simple get-aways with his sweetheart, Beth-Anne, they loved Bed and Breakfasts. One time they left the kids at home and went to Disneyland together.
John and Beth-Anne were a match made in heaven. They complemented each other perfectly. He supported her in everything, and she absolutely adored him. She would leave him love notes in his socks, and she kept every one of the love notes and cards that he gave to her. They were true soulmates who are now united in heaven.
He was a patient man. Some of the hobbies he enjoyed throughout his life were gardening, birdwatching, cycling, beekeeping, photography, watch repair, antique restoration and collecting.
John had a menagerie of the many unique and interesting things he had collected over the years. He was a treasure seeker at the local thrift stores, pawn shops, and made many friends there. One of the things he was known for collecting was wool blankets. They would save the wool blankets just for him and called him “Wooly.” He would take his best ones to sell at the Mountain Man Rendezvous. His love for the outdoors and all things historical made him an eternal explorer of both the natural world and all things history.
John was very close to his father and namesake; they would spend nearly every day together during snowbird season. He was a loving and gentle man, known for his quiet strength, curiosity, and zest for life. He left lasting impressions on the people he came in contact with and a beautiful legacy for his family. He will be missed.
John is survived by his father, John Roland Massaro; his siblings: Kris, Sandy, Mary, Matt, and Anna; his children: Thann Massaro, Jared Teeter, John G. Massaro, Janis Massaro, Joseph Massaro, Dorothy Musselman; 14 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother, NeDean Ford Massaro; his wife, Beth-Anne; his daughter Jessica, and his son Patrick.
“Closing Campfire” for John A. Massaro will be held Saturday, August 9, 2025 at 1:00 p.m., with a viewing prior from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the LDS Chapel located at 820 North Valley View Drive, Saint George, UT 84770. He will be interred at the Santa Clara City Cemetery located at 1950 Ancestor Way, Santa Clara, Utah.
For those attending the service, as a special tribute, please feel free to wear mountain man attire, scout uniforms, wool or flannel shirts, or any other adventure/explorer apparel, such as what Percy Fawcett or Indiana Jones might wear.
