John Peter LaGioia died in New York City on December 23, 2020 at the age of 83 after a valiant
battle with throat cancer. He was born to Italian immigrants, Ignazio and Victoria La Gioia. John
was proud of his hometown of South Philadelphia, his Italian heritage, and his adopted home of
New York City. In Philadelphia, he attended Epiphany Grade School and Southeast Catholic High
School. John graduated from Temple University after which he had a long, distinguished acting
career working in theatre, film, and television. He had a passion for Shakespeare. He performed
with the New York Shakespeare Festival, on and off Broadway, in Regional Theatres across the
country and was known for his role of Johnny Dallas on the soap opera, The Edge of Night. John
enjoyed traveling, particularly to Paris and Italy. He had a passion for collecting Italian coins and
military memorabilia. John devoted many years to working with the Volunteer Income Tax
Assistance Program, offering free tax help to actors through Actor’s Equity Association. John
relished being a New Yorker and immersed himself in everything it had to offer; in its theatre,
museums, history and culture. He adamantly preferred a Greek Diner to a trendy café and had
strong opinions on gentrification. He was a charming, well educated, well read man who
enjoyed a political argument as much as conversation on art or history. John lived his life
exactly the way he wanted. He will be missed and remembered well by his family and dear
friends. He will be buried next to his parents at Saint Peter and Paul Cemetery, in Philadelphia.
A memorial mass and a tribute to his life will be held at a more fitting time due to the Covid-19
pandemic.