John Benedict Dwyer died on October 30th, in Yonkers, NY, where he lived for 62 years, after growing up in Astoria, Queens. He was born to William Dwyer and Mary Benedict Dwyer in November of 1932, and his childhood was shaped by WWII, Catholicism, patriotism, and the immigrant milieu of New York. He got his first job at Sugar's Reliable Pharmacy at age 12, where he earned $4 a week, all but 25 cents of which was turned over to his mother for family expenses. After a stint in the Navy, he worked for 34 years in banking, taking additional seasonal work at the Yonkers Raceway to support his growing family. One of the happiest days of his life was retirement at age 60, when he finally had free time to have the fun he missed out on through 5 decades of work.

The love of his life was Vivian Dwyer (née Navajas), born in Havana, Cuba, who he met at Wildwood Lake in 1952 through friends. They married and raised four children: Jacqueline Kelderhouse, Kathryn Dwyer Navajas (Aliesa Zoecklein), Michael J. Dwyer (Debbie Dwyer), and Jeanne Brigandi (Carl Brigandi). In June of 2024 they celebrated 70 years of marriage and renewed their vows, surrounded by friends, siblings, and 3 generations of descendants.

While he worked very hard all his life, he was happiest playing sports. Starting with stoopball in Queens, he went on to excel in handball, paddleball, racquetball, ice skating, tennis, skiing, swimming, and cycling, only giving up this last activity at age 84. He never played team sports because he preferred to spend time with friends, siblings, kids, and grandkids. He shared with us his love of exploring the natural world and his sense of wonder at the miracles of nature. He was full of a curiosity that was a pleasure in itself, easily satisfied by some small insight. He was a wonderful storyteller, refining gestures and adding embellishments over the years, keeping us laughing and occasionally eye-rolling.

He is survived by his wife, 4 children, 8 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren, as well as his sister Mary Zanghi and brother Fredrick Dwyer. His older sister and brother, Joan and William Dwyer preceded him in death. Dad was an important figure for all his nieces and nephews.

Unlike his own father, Dad wanted to be known, as a man and a father, with all his strengths and flaws, and to that end he never shied away from difficult conversations, encouraging us to really see him, and to have the courage to reach for him, our truest selves, and each other.

His faith in God never wavered, and he found strength and comfort in the Catholicism he practiced all his life.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you cherish your memories of him, and say something kind to a stranger, as he always did.