John B. Ferzacca left this world on May 21, 2020, at the age of 79. John passed away peacefully with his trademarked breakfast tray, designer coffee cup, and energy bar resting on his lap.

John was born on July 26, 1940, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, to "Frosty" and Marion Ferzacca. He was preceded in death by his parents and will be sadly missed by his loving sister, Mary Sullivan (Ferzacca) Pierce, a niece and nephew, 5 great nieces and nephews, and his many beloved friends.

While our hearts ache with this immense loss, John's independence, creative spirit, numerous artistic talents, and incomparable sense of humor will live on in all of us.

Drawn to drama and art at an early age, John participated in every theatre and drama class available throughout his grade school and high school years. If John was not acting, he was designing sets, serving as assistant director or producer, or coaching others in learning Cockney accents.He graduated from Shorewood High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with the intent to pursue a theatre major in college. He attended undergraduate school at Northern Michigan University, in Marquette, Michigan, where he majored in drama and art.It was at Northern where his prodigious talent for drama flourished under the mentorship and tutelage of James Rapport, head of the NMU Drama Department NMU.His love of theatre never wavered, so he went on to pursue a Master of Arts Degree in Theatre at Michigan State University in 1971.

An inspiring teacher, he first taught at Lansing Sexton High School, where he continued to direct plays and teach theatre and art classes. From Lansing, he went on to Sunny Hills High School, in Fullerton, California, for 3 years.The remainder of his teaching career, almost 40 years which ended in the fall of 2019, was spent at Orange Coast College where he will be remembered as, "… the coolest teacher you will ever meet, and the best teacher I have ever had. I know he knows what he is talking about. I know he loves what he does. I know he loves his students."He mounted demanding and rigorous, often first run, musical and theatre productions at OCC which earned the praise, acclaim and recognition from theatre critics from the LA Times.

John was truly a Renaissance man, as comfortable with art and design as he was with football.He loved bulldogs, the Green Bay Packers, cooking, video games, Ed Hardy, books, music and film and cars. At the time of his death, he owned 3 Lincolns.He was known for his amazing array of antiques, art, movie and record collections and, his beloved, Frank Sinatra and Doris Day memorabilia. John always made each home a welcoming and loving place for every guest where he enjoyed preparing a fine meal and creating a special memory for his loved ones.

In retirement, John never stopped his love for writing, acting, drama and film.During the past year, he completed 5 stage and screenplays.His work is currently being reviewed by critics with whom he has exchanged critiques and revisions, hoping to produce another play or movie by the age of 80.

Actor, artist, author, son, brother, friend, John was a man of many, many talents, all of which he shared with the world.He lived a rich life without regret, and he would want his legacy to carry on through all of us doing the same. John's own words, from his most recent screenplay, speak most profoundly of his philosophy of life and the legacy he leaves behind: "I want to thank you for all you've brought me.You are trying to create a world that you can fit comfortably in, not conform to one that leaves you no space. That's not selfish; that's strong.The world is lonely enough without the added burden of trying to live any life but your own."