Diane and family,

I recently learned about John's passing and wanted to send you my sincerest condolences. I posted about John on my Kerouac blog today at https://thedailybeatblog.blogspot.com/2023/09/rip-to-my-kerouacian-friend-john-j.html.

John and I never met, but we were long-distance friends connected through Kerouac.

Peace,

Rick Dale
Augusta, Maine

Dearest Diane, 
I finally had an inspiration to Google John’s name and learned he passed the end of February. I’m so glad I’ve been praying for you all this time knowing God knew my heart to pray for what was needed. I will always remember John and his sweet greeting, “How’s it going?”  It’s been since 1993!  I am so thankful that his immense suffering is over and that he got to be with his darling grandsons in order that they will always remember him.  God bless you, Diane, as you walk this road. He will always guide you. Even when you may not know He’s there, His love will be upholding you.  I love you!!❤️

When I think of John, I remember him as having a great sense of humor and a quick wit. Remember the good times and the joy. He will be missed tremendously. Sincere condolences to Diane and family. 

Condolences to his family and friends. I knew John through the Kerouac world from many years ago, meeting him in Lowell, and later visiting with him in Rocky Mount. He helped place the importance of Rocky Mount in the Kerouac saga. I also enjoyed his book Milkman's Matinee. He always expressed his love and appreciation for his family and children. My hope is that he had a relatively good journey on this thing called life. Peace, comfort and healing to family and friends.

Sincerest condolences to the Dorfner family.   John was a great guy and always a fun person to be around.  I will never forget the days of him riding motorcycles on the trails in Stone Ridge (he gave me my first ride) and hanging out at the lean to.  
Rest in Peace John

Dear Diane, My deepest sympathy of the loss of our John. I am so grateful for the short times we got to spend together the last years and will always keep the pictures he sent in his memory.

John was so much fun to talk to when he would come to our office to fix something electric. He was always happy with life.  I hope your memories give you strength through the grief.

Reading his obituary, I was struck by an odd memory. We talked about playing the piano, how he said he couldn't, and I argued he could. "As a writer you taught yourself to type (which I couldn't do). You just need to train your fingers to hit the right keys" I said. The conversation started because he was telling me Jolie was playing piano. And she's so young. And I can't do that. She's even writing her own songs ("My cat Socks... My cat Socks"). He was always so proud.  Odd what memories pop into mind. My sincere condolences, the world is a less bright place without John. I wish I could have made the services, but my father is currently transitioning. With sympathy, Rob  Cazares (who John was gracious enough to consider in a book inscription "a fellow Dharma Bum")

Hello, I liked to think John and I were good friends though you likely never heard of me. I thought about him over the years and regret I didn't try harder to reconnect. We worked together at the wake county commons building, me a college kid and him an "adult," and had great discussions on art, music and of course literature. His beloved beat generation writers (so rightly proud and appreciative he was of Ginsberg's forward to his book) were the subject of long talks. And Thelonious Monk - I still have cassette tapes he made for me. We also had less sophisticated talks... like about Andrew Dice Clay and Howard Stern. John was a definitely a "well-rounded" individual. What I remembered though, or felt best, was that he adored his family.  [I am going to cheat this system and continue in a second condolence momentarily]

Diane and Family - I played in the praise band with John at Hope Church and I remember a story he told me about a dream he had where he was in heaven and there were tons of instruments and it was like he knew how to play all of them. I know he is now playing all those instruments in praise to the Lord! I am praying for you all to be comforted somehow through this devastating time by the grace and mercy of Jesus. Sending my love, Aimee 

I knew John for nearly 40 years. I used to love our conversations as Dianne was giving me a haircut. He was well versed and a wonderful guy. He loved his family immensely and was a proud grandpa. He was so multitalented and interesting. He was also loved very much by his family and he will be missed. Rest in Peace John. I will see you again one day brother.

I am so sorry for your loss, Diane and family.   You are in my prayers.

Bob Petrolino, Sr.

John was the best boyhood friend anyone could ask for. In later years I enjoyed catching up with him-talking baseball, books, memories from our youth  and hearing about his wonderful family.
Our prayers are with his family; may you be blessed through the years with memories of your lives together.

Tom Williams and Family

John was my first correspondant in email.  I didn’t even know what email was, but he showed me the way! 

 We had known each other since gradeschool, but it was in later years that we became email buddies, sharing stories about Kerouac  and always keeping up on our family news over the years.

I will miss him.❤️

Dearest Diane & family
May your wonderful memories of John keep him with you forever. 
Much love
Margie

Diane, Jolie and Jamie, our hearts and prayers go out to you all as you  celebrate John's life and walk the journey ahead.  We share good memories of being neighbors and friends.  If you should need anything, please be sure to reach out.

OBITUARY

John J. Dorfner

15 June, 1952 – 27 February, 2023

Brown-Wynne Funeral Home

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