Obituary
John Mathew (Fanito) Raguzin

John Raguzin
April 4, 1959 – June 25, 2025

John Raguzin—affectionately known as J.R., Ragu, Johnny Boy, and “Fanito” to friends and family—passed away peacefully on June 25, 2025, with his favorite music playing and his beloved wife, Lauren, who never left his side—He was 66 years old.

John was a three-time fighter. He overcame non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in his 30s and thyroid cancer in 2017. In 2023, he faced his greatest challenge—a rare and aggressive BRAF V600E cancer mutation that originated in his thyroid and ultimately spread to his brain.

Through it all, John remained incredibly strong—thanks in large part to two years of expert, compassionate care from Dr. Patel (oncology) and Dr. Atkenson (cardiology), his favorite doctor. He often said, “I think he really cares about you and me.”

John met every setback with courage, faith, and humor, and Lauren will forever be grateful for the unwavering dedication of those who cared for him.

Born on the Croatian island of Ilovik, John immigrated to the U.S. as a child and eventually settled in Sleepy Hollow, New York. After high school, he joined his father’s painting business and quickly built a reputation for excellence. John probably painted every house in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow. He was meticulous and skilled—so precise he never needed tape. He could cut around a ceiling edge or outlet with flawless precision.

Even after relocating to North Carolina, people in New York continued to reach out, hoping he might come back to paint for them. That’s how he built his career—through trust, word of mouth, and the kind of reputation you can’t buy.

There wasn’t a single person who had a bad word to say about John. He was very much like his Mom who welcomed him with Jesus guiding him to his final resting place.

John met the love of his life, Lauren, in 2007. From the beginning, their connection was something rare and extraordinary. Lauren often said, “You know, my dad and God picked you for me.” Just months into dating, John returned with a tattoo: two pink hearts wrapped in banners that read “Lauren” and “John,” framed by a blooming rose. It was bold, beautiful, and so very John—never afraid to show his love. They married on July 25, 2009.

His passing is biblical—he spent 7 days and nights in Hospice

The number seven holds profound spiritual significance in the Bible—symbolizing completion, divine perfection, and the fulfillment of God’s purpose. The fact that John spent seven days and seven nights in hospice can be seen as a sacred passage, a divinely timed journey where God’s presence, peace, and purpose were fully at
work.

From the very beginning of creation to the rhythms of Sabbath rest, the number seven marks God’s sacred work. It felt as though John’s earthly journey was not only guided by love—but also aligned with something far greater. A divine rhythm. A heavenly peace. And when his seventh night turned to morning, it was as if God whispered, “It is time to Come home.”

• Genesis 2:2–3 – God rested on the seventh day after completing creation.
• Job 2:13 – Job’s friends sat with him seven days and seven nights, a symbol of shared suffering and sacred vigil.
• Joshua 6 – The walls of Jericho fell on the seventh day, after being circled seven times—symbolizing breakthrough after obedience.
• Revelation is filled with sevens (seven churches, seven seals, seven spirits), symbolizing God’s perfect plan and divine fulfillment.

John & Lauren built a life rooted in deep friendship and daily laughter. They were soulmates, wholly devoted to one another.

In 2015, Lauren dreamed of adopting a dog—Cinnamon, now 9—and longed for a slower pace and better quality of life. When she asked, “What if we moved to North Carolina?”—knowing all his roots were in New York—John didn’t hesitate. “Is that what you want to do? … Then here we go.” That selfless, loyal spirit was pure John. He adored his Lauren, and she adored him.

Together, they made their home in Clayton, North Carolina, where they built a life filled with love, laughter, and peace—alongside Cinnamon and, a few years later, Skippy (4). Their Cavalier King Charles Spaniels quickly became the apples of their eyes.

John had a larger-than-life personality—just like Lauren’s father—and now, he finally has the father-in-law he always deserved. In heaven, he’s reunited with the man who helped pick him for Lauren.

When John walked into a room, faces lit up. He was always the life of the party. He had a gift for lifting others, making people laugh until their sides hurt. He was whip-smart—especially when it came to sports and trivia. He rarely missed a Final Jeopardy! question he would always say “Look at me,” and his encyclopedic knowledge of players, stats, and games—especially about his beloved Baltimore Orioles—left everyone in awe.

He wasn’t one for movies, but he loved a good documentary, a sharp joke, or a quiet afternoon with the people (and pups) he loved. And animals? He loved them all—but especially monkeys!

John was a devout Catholic with a quiet, unwavering faith. He lived it—not with words, but through humility, generosity, and acts of kindness. When a hurricane hit North Carolina, he immediately gathered supplies to donate—never thinking twice. He just did what was right. That’s who John was. Always giving. Always loving. Always there.

And the greatest gift he ever gave was his unconditional love—a love he gave so fully to Lauren, and which she returned with all her heart.

Together, John and Lauren were the epitome of the all-American love story.

John is survived by his devoted wife, Lauren Raguzin (née Garvey); his siblings Robert, Joe, and Rose; and his large Croatian family, who will always remember his loyalty, humor, and heart. He is now reunited in heaven with his beloved parents, Klaudio and Josephine (“Mama Pina”).

Forever a part of his story are Cinnamon and Skippy, his cherished pups who will carry on his memory with every wag and cuddle.

Memorial service arrangements will be shared in the coming weeks. In the meantime, those who knew and loved John are invited to celebrate his life in their own way—cheer for the Orioles, answer a Jeopardy! clue, share a good laugh, show kindness to an animal in need, or simply hold Lauren in their hearts.

If you feel moved to support Lauren as she navigates this heartbreaking chapter, you can visit her GoFundMe page, lovingly organized by her cousins:

gofundme.com/f/aid-lauren-during-johns-final-journey

Join us in prayer so John may rest easy. His love, his laughter, and his unfailing “here we go” spirit will remain in our hearts—forever.