John Giannetti Obituary

It is with a heavy heart that the Giannetti family announces the passing of John Giannetti, Sr. on September 29, 2024, at the age of 84.
John was born in Washington, DC on December 17, 1939, the youngest of three children, to his parents Bruna and George Giannetti. He grew up in Mount Rainier and attended St. James Catholic School. He played football beginning at age 6 and took his skills on the gridiron to Archbishop John Carroll High School, where he played quarterback and tight end. He received a football scholarship from the University of Maryland, College Park.
After college, he entered the US Marine Corps as a Second Lieutenant, and was stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC. After his service, he was honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant and moved back to Prince George's County, where he raised John and Greg, with his first wife Gail.
In 1966, John joined his father and brother Bob in the nationally renowned ornamental plaster business, Giannetti's Studio, located in Brentwood, Maryland.
John met Kathy and was married in 1973, and together, they raised their daughter Margot and the boys. In 1983, John and Kathy bought Ash Hill, also known as Hitching Post Hill, in Hyattsville, a home built in 1840 listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was visited by Presidents Grant and Cleveland as well as Buffalo Bill Cody.
John served as a member of the Berwyn Heights City Council, and later served as an elected member of the Prince George's County Democratic Central Committee.
His involvement in the community as a volunteer remains unmatched in dedication and hours of service for the betterment of his neighborhood, county, and state. He served as president of numerous civic organizations, including the Prince George's Jaycees, the Prince George's Historical Society, the Kiwanis Club, the Georgetown-based American Legion Post, and he served as Chairman of the Board of the Aman Trust.
John's leadership roles and involvement gave him the opportunity to accomplish great things in and around Maryland. He was the key player in saving Bladensburg's Indian Queen Tavern (also known as the George Washington House) from demolition, and he and the Prince George's Jaycees won the top national award for their restoration of the tavern that was used often as an overnight stop for the first president. He also spearheaded the efforts, with the Aman Trust, to build a monument to honor the brave men who risked and lost their lives in defense of their country at the Battle of Bladensburg in 1814.
His partnership in Giannetti's Studio with his brother Bob, allowed him to beautify and help restore some of the most important buildings in America. He worked on and supervised the restoration of the White House, the Supreme Court, the Capitol Building, Monticello, and Mt. Vernon. Giannetti's Studio won numerous commendations and awards from the Architect of the Capitol, including, famously, the ornamentation of the ceiling in the US Department of State dining room, and the restoration of the exterior of the Renwick Gallery. John retired at age 79, when he handed the business reins over to his son Greg.
John was well-known for his friendly personality and easy-going mannerisms. He never said no to a request for help. He enjoyed reading, especially books on military history and ancient Rome. John loved the Washington Redskins. He went to nearly every Redskins' home game for more than 7 decades, and for many years held season tickets.
John is survived by his wife of 51 years, Kathy, his son John Jr. and girlfriend Heather, his son Greg and wife Cara, his daughter Margot and husband Seamus, his brother Bob and wife Doretta, and his two grandchildren Evelyn and Alex.
A memorial Catholic Mass will be held at St. John Neumann Church in Annapolis on October 17, 2024, at 10:30am and Military honors will follow at 1:45pm at Crownsville Veterans Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Parkinson's Foundation, www.parkinson.org.