John Morrocco, beloved husband and father of three, accomplished aerospace journalist and respected public relations executive, passed away at age 65 on July 30th in his Bethesda home. Family, friends, and colleagues worldwide are deeply feeling the loss of this much admired and devoted family man.
Professionally, John dedicated himself to excellence in journalism and communications. During 15 years with Aviation Week & Space Technology, as the Pentagon correspondent and the European bureau chief, he was one of the best in his field. The Forbes Media Guide praised John for “some of the most penetrating work on post-Cold War planning and procurement” and “near perfect” coverage of the Persian Gulf War. He also earned several awards from the Aviation Writers Association and The Royal Aeronautical Society.
A Rhode Island native, born in Providence in 1952 and raised in Cranston, John combined a life-long passion for history and travel. He earned a degree in history at Boston College, a master’s degree in international history at the London School of Economics and pursued post-graduate work in war studies at King’s College London. He was an expert on the air combat during the Vietnam War and wrote two Vietnam Experience series books: Thunder from Above and Rain of Fire.
In 2001, John traded his reporter’s notebook for a senior communications role at Boeing and embarked upon a successful 16-year corporate career. He provided expert advice and counsel for finance, Army programs, media relations, and global communications, while serving as a mentor to many. John respected reporters and they respected him - he was always a highly sought out figure at air shows, conferences and other major trade events. He was also a strong supporter of the annual Aerospace Media Awards and the Aerospace Industries Association’s Lyman Award, which recognize superior achievement in journalism or communications.
John will be fondly remembered by family and friends as a generous, caring, calm, and worldly man. He was known to enjoy cooking, good food and wine, the Washington Capitals hockey team, travel, all things related to the United Kingdom, his Saab convertible, old movies and above all, spending time with his family. John will be remembered as a strong wordsmith who kept a cool demeanor even in the toughest situations both professionally and personally. He is survived by wife Megan, children Chelsea, Matthew, and Callan, and his brother Craig. In lieu of flowers and in his memory, John’s family asks that contributions be made to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation or the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in honor of the myriad family members who they have lost to cancer.
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