John Michael Salonich II

John was an avid skier, he raced on the Wachusett Mountain Ski team through high school. He loved mountain biking, camping, hiking, rollerblading, cross country skiing and playing racquetball. He loved doing anything that was outdoors. John was a boy scout and an altar boy growing up. He later became an active member at his church working with the youth group, mentoring teens and was part of the men’s group.

John graduated from St. John’s High School in Shrewsbury, MA, he attended some college at St. Anslem, Worcester State University, and Quinsigamond Community College.

John joined the Massachusetts Army National Guard when he was 18 years old. He was assigned to the 181st Infantry Division in Worcester, MA. In 2001 he was federally deployed on active duty for a year and deployed in 2003 to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for 6 months before falling ill, resulting in a permanent brain injury which led to John’s permanent honorable discharge as a Staff Sergeant. Before being deployed in 2001 John spent many years in sales including Maurice the Pants Man, Rayco Car Stereos, and The Mountainside Ski Shop at Wachusett Mountain. John started a graphic design business with his wife offering networking solutions and web development until he was hired by UMASS Medical School as their Senior Web Developer and Networking Tech before and in between deployments.

John is survived by his wife, Lisa (Roussel) Salonich; his children, Savannah, Collin and Emily Salonich; brother, Theodore Salonich; parents, John M. Salonich and Catherine Valle Salonich; and his father and mother in law, Denis Roussel and Verna Moran.

Burial will be at the Bourne National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of a traditional funeral there will be a Celebration of Life in the fall for all to join in remembering this amazing man.

If any contributions wish to be made, the family asks to consider the following organizations:

Military Friends Foundation

www.militaryfriends.org

212 Humphrey Street

Swampscott, MA 01907

Autoimmune Encephalitis Alliance

811 9th Street, Suite 120-101

Durham, NC