John S. DeRango

John S. DeRango – Loving husband, father, and grandfather – passed away on August 9, 2021 at the age of 70 after battling COVID for several weeks. The final hours were spent in true “Johnny D” fashion, he had his wife Kathy “Blondie” and daughter Melissa nearby, enjoyed a shot of 1792 whiskey, and listened to “Mack the Knife” by Bobby Darin.

John was born in Blue Island, IL on June 6, 1951 to Joan (Rosaves) and Ernest DeRango. John planted roots in his hometown. It is where he met and married the love of his life, Kathleen Holwell in 1976 and where they raised their family. John served as the City of Blue Island Building Commissioner & Zoning Administrator for 22 years. He also was active in the community and participated in softball, bowling, and supported numerous community activities.

In 2003, John & Kathy relocated to Estero, FL where he continued his work in Building & Zoning for Lee County for 12 years. After retiring from the County, John pursued his dream of working at the Old Corkscrew Golf Club several days a week. When he wasn’t working, he spent time taking care of his grandsons, cooking for family and friends, golfing, and fishing. He was also an active community leader in the Bella Terra community, most recently serving as a board member for the Homeowner’s Association.

John is the beloved husband of Kathleen DeRango (nee Holwell) for 45 years; loving father of Melissa (Daniel) Bibeau; proud grandfather of Daniel Joseph (11) and John Michael (9) Bibeau; devoted son of Joan Martinez (nee Rosaves) and the late Ernest DeRango; dear brother of Deborah (Michael) Hastings, Mark (Dawnanne) DeRango, Nadine (Peter) Frale, and Victor (Roxanna) Martinez; cherished cousin, fond uncle, and lifelong friend to many.

John lived his life the best he knew how and he believed anything was possible. Nobody did life like John. He took pride in his family and was proud of his work and where he was from. To John, every day was precious and everyone around him was important. He had a way about him; he could make a complete stranger feel like family. He was a father to only one, but a dad to anyone that walked into his life. He was an amazing husband, father, papa, son, brother, colleague, mentor, coach, and friend. Anything he did, he truly enjoyed; his best home-cooked meal, a good drink, a great party surrounded by everyone he loved. He is irreplaceable and his legacy will live on forever.

A memorial service will be held at Hodges Funeral Home on Friday, August 27, 2021 from 3:00pm-7:00 pm. An additional celebration of life will be held in John’s hometown of Blue Island, IL at a later date.