I just learned about John and it shook me, because as many many others on the site shared, he was always one of the good ones. You grow up and go to high school and college (both I did with John), and you remember a handful of folks who were just universally liked and respected by all, and that was John. Talented guy, and always shared a smile when you passed him..... Glad to share the planet with a guy like him and wish blessings upon his family.
Liebe Sabine, lieber Christopher, liebe Stefanie und liebe Anna-Lee,
die traurige Nachricht von Johns viel zu frühem Tod beschäftigt uns sehr, und wir können das immer noch nicht glauben. Vielleicht konnte Euch die Osterzeit etwas Hoffnung machen! John hinterlässt eine große Lücke. Es wird lange dauern, das zu verkraften, zu begreifen und zu verstehen. Dafür wünschen wir Dir und Euch viel Kraft! In Gedanken sind wir bei Dir und drücken Dich!
Liebe Sabine, ich denke so gerne an unsere gemeinsame Zeit in Braunschweig zurück. Ich konnte es damals gar nicht glauben, dass Du nach New York gehen wolltest, habe mich aber umso mehr gefreut, dass Du dort John getroffen hast, Ihr geheiratet und später drei tolle Kinder bekommen hast. Unsere Treffen in Deutschland und in New York sind lange her, aber wir haben John als sehr herzlich in Erinnerung. Ruhe in Frieden!
Dear Sabine, dear Christopher, dear Stefanie, and dear Anna-Lee,
the sad news of John's much too early death is deeply troubling us, and we still can't believe it. Perhaps the Easter season has given you some hope! John leaves a huge void. It will take a long time to comprehend it, and to understand it. We wish you and your family strength! Our thoughts are with you, and we send you our hugs!
Dear Sabine, I think back so fondly on our time together in Braunschweig. At the time, I couldn't believe that you wanted to go to New York, but I was all the more pleased that you met John there, that you got married, and later had three wonderful children. Our meetings in Germany and New York were a long time ago, but we remember John as being very warm and welcoming. Rest in peace!
Almut, Ekkehard, Robert from Hannover, Germany
I was so very sorry to hear about John's passing. John was one of my first best friends in grade school and Norma was like a second mom for me in my younger years. I will always remember Frankie introducing new music to us in their basement and I have very fond memories of us playing roller hockey together. And, while we had different friend groups, we played baseball together through high school. After college, I settled in NYC and always looked forward to and enjoyed seeing John and his band playing on the lower east side. He was such a fantastic guitar player and such a fantastic person. I wish we would have kept in touch but my memories of him will always be with me.
To Sabine and the children of John: I am so sorry for your loss. It has been a long hard road and I hope it brings you comfort that he is at peace. My fondest memory is all of us calling him Nashville because he WAS the music man. You are all in my thoughts.
I met John back in 1987 when he called me regarding an ad I had placed about putting a band together. Along with Mark L. and Rob, we formed that band, in what turned out to be a very formative and amazing experience in my life. John was an awesome guitarist - he could literally play any style of music. John was one of the most creative musicians I have ever had the pleasure of working with, and his sweet demeanor and great sense of humor made him a joy to be around. I regret that we only talked a few times after the band split up but the years we played music together and our friendship are something that I will always carry with me and remember fondly. John was one of those few that made everyone around him better and I am truly lucky to have known him. He will be missed by all of us. Much love to Sabine and family.
I always thought one day we would rock again. I always thought I would be back to Long Island and catch up with you. Even after your diagnosis I always thought we would share a good time together. I am sorry I never had that moment with you dear friend. I will always remember you and your family. I will find peace in knowing that one day, we WILL rock again, but on a higher plain. Love to you my brother. Love to your family.
The first time I saw John, was at our employee orientation at BMI n 1989. During the orientation I mentioned that I am a musician and a guitar player leading to us having an awesome conversation about music. Then, let's get together for lunch one day led to us getting together every day for lunch. Then it turned into attending each other's weddings which blossomed into a 36 y/o friendship. We both clicked on so many levels, through music and through our identical whacky sense of humor. I'll never forget his smile, his laugh, how he made me laugh. How we both shared our ups and downs together. How he was always there for me, how we made music together and shared incredible conversations about music. He knew so much about music, more than I can imagine. Watching his decline over the past five years has been very hard. John was my great friend and I am so fortunate and glad that he was a big part of my life and he will never be forgotten.
Liebe Sabine, mein herzliches Beileid möchte ich dir wünschen. Ich wünsche dir viel Kraft für die nächsten Wochen und denke das deine Kinder dich gut unterstützen werden. Alles Gute für euch und liebe Grüße, Sabine
Liebe Sabine, Christopher, Anna-Lee und Stefanie,
unser herzliches Beileid! Wir wünschen euch viel Kraft in der schweren Zeit. Wir zünden jeden Abend eine Kerze für John an und sind in Gedanken bei ihm.
Isabel & Thomas Eichenberg
Liebe Sabine und Kinder, wir denken jeden Tag an euch und an John. Täglich brennt eine Kerze auf der Anrichte zum Gedenken. Stille Grüße O. Rudi und T. Ingrid
Mr. Sadocha was a wonderful person and will truly be missed. Our hearts go out to the rest of the Sadocha family, we’re thinking of you during this difficult time. With love, Alexis and Cathy
John was a great friend and I will miss him. He had two great loves, his family and music. My best memories of John include summer barbecues that he and Sabine would host, hiking in Harriman Park, playing guitar together, going to concerts, and meeting him for pizza lunches with our friend Ralph when when we worked in the same NYC area. It was always fun talking music with John, as he was very opinionated and didn’t mind sharing his likes and dislikes. He was a genuinely good person and a very talented guitarist who enjoyed both his rock band, Counter Culture, and later on his ‘family band’ where he was able to share his love of music with his kids. He will be missed. My deepest condolences to Sabine, Chris, Anna Lee an Stefanie.
My family moved to Wantagh while I was in high school and I first met John in Jazz Band. While attending Hofstra we were taking a music class together and as part of the class we formed a little group with some other students playing some classic jazz and originals. John was a great guitarist and I always admired his skill and musicianship. Most importantly though, he was just one of those rare human beings who was always upbeat, easy to talk with, and truly kind hearted.
To Sabine and family, our deepest condolences. Jane and I always had a great time getting together when all our kids were young. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
My earliest memory of John is from watching him in our high school jazz band and his seemingly effortless guitar playing. Later, my brother and I would see him playing with various rock bands, especially Counter Culture, and I had the pleasure of playing a couple of gigs with him and the band Churchill at the Right Track Inn and CBGB's. Later on in life we would get together for some guitar jams in his basement or break out the acoustics on his back porch. As our grew, we spent many enjoyable afternoons together with John and Sabine at backyard BBQ's, talking and laughing.
John was such an easy person to talk two, always greeting us with a smile, and always having a great story to share over a beer.
I'm glad to have known John and his whole family and my wife Linda and I will surely miss him.
Rest in peace, John, and our condolences to Sabine and children, and the rest of John's family and friends.
Nick
It’s impossible for me to single out memories about John, I, and /or our life together. So, I will keep it simple and doable.
John and I made a pretty good team from the get go, we loved and respected each other, and made life work out for the both of us. We juggled complex work schedules like kids, family and friends (I say, successfully) to the best of our abilities. Life was good !
Early onset Alzheimer’s disease is a rarer form of dementia, it is a gradual waning of a person’s memory and identity. Losing John to Early onset AD was complicated and a journey marked by a unique blend of heartache and cherished memories.
However, through all of this heartache and confusion we really got to appreciate old friends who stuck around and a whole set of new caring and supportive friends helping us out.
John’s favorite place (besides spending time with his kids) was the Day Break, a memory day care program run by the Life Enrichment Center in Oyster Bay. Day Break gave John dignity and a purpose in life, he referred to it often as his place of work.
John,
the last 5 years have not been kind to you (us). But-remember, you are always in my heart !
❤️ I love you,
and we’ll meet again ❤️
Your loving wife,
Sabine
John was truly one of the good guys in this world and we were lucky to have known him. We were his cousins from PA and while we didn't see each other on a regular basis, we still had a close bond with him, Frankie, and Sue. We cherished our trips to NY and the memories we made out of the time we had together. In the early years we remember celebrating Christmas with midnight pizzas and present exchanges. We continued to grow up together by going to Islanders games, concerts, watching MTV, and discussing music. We stayed in touch as we navigated college, jobs, celebrated weddings, births of children, trips, and even hardships. We had a strong family connection that was only made greater when he married Sabine. She was the perfect addition to our family. They were well matched in love and compassion. We were happy to watch them raise 3 beautiful children that mirrored their kindness and gentle nature. John was a great model and we know Christopher, Anna Lee, and Stefanie will carry the memories of their father with them and share his values with others. When we think of John, we will always think of family and music as his love of both certainly influenced ours. Our last visit with John was filled with much reminiscing and even a mini jam session with his banjo and drum set. We miss you John but know you are at peace reunited with your family in heaven and will watch over Sabine, Christopher, Anna Lee, and Stefanie from above. We will hold you and your family in our hearts forever.
Love,
Dan, Susan, Theresa, and Steve
Dan love for John was something that began at birth. John , Sue and Frank had the best family celebrations with Dan and Theresa. John was 3 years older than Dan and instilled in him a love, appreciation and importance of music, and Islanders. Dans love of music is directly connected to his love of John. He will be sadly missed.
A kind, gentle and musical soul indeed. "Earth's cry, heaven's smile"
John’s good nature, and love of family, music and friends is perfectly evident as anyone would glean by scrolling through these “memories”.
I met John first in little league then CYO track when we elementary school, probably 2nd or 3rd grade. It was right about that time that we both also discovered each other’s interest in music. Shortly after that, I learned that John practiced in a band. This was around 4th grade! I was amazed at how he managed to get a band together and practicing in 4th grade lol!! He was an inspiration. I later found out he met the other band mates through the guitar shop where he took lessons at the time (and years later actually taught at for a while). Still, no small feat to get a band together and practicing at that young age. Can barely get an entire band to practices now lol…
Growing up, even though we were young and went to different elementary schools in the same town, we always managed to stay in touch. A bond reinforced by music, but also by mutual trust and family values among other things. I think we were both lucky to have great families. After elementary school, we both then attended the same high school where we played in Jazz Big Band and Jazz Octet Improv together (both after school electives at the High School). As our friendship and we ourselves aged, going to the Sadocha house through the years, whether meeting to carpool before work (John, Franky and I worked at the Nassau Coliseum Restaurant together for hockey games and concerts when John and I were in high school, and yep we mostly only talked about music… mostly… lol), or before we went out to clubs or concerts, or before heading to the mall or music store, or meeting up to go hiking, or to "check out" this place or that place as 20 somethings, was always like visiting family…
Mr. and Mrs. S., Franky, John, Susan… the Sadocha’s are a great family, and John and Sabine continued the valued tradition. Anyone meeting Chris, Anna Lee and Stefanie would see that is evident… fine family.
Tell your mom and dad, Franky, and Susie I said “hi” John…
Prayers for all!
I came to know John a few years ago and I enjoyed and appreciated the times we got together. Despite his situation , he always smiled, joked and laughed. He always had nice things to say and loved talking about his two favorite things , which were his family and music. John and I enjoyed similar music … the Beatles and Santana to name a few. He would light up talking about some concerts he attended or was going to attend , but he was happiest when talking about his family, which you could tell he just loved and cherished. The world lost a good soul and he will be missed by many.
John,
I am so grateful for the opportunity to have known you. Your love of music, all things chocolate, and your family will always be remembered. The times that you came to spend the weekend with Chris and I where we would go to an Army football game or go hiking are such fond memories.
Thank you welcoming me into your family with open arms and thank you and Sabine most of all for raising my future husband.
You will be deeply missed but you will continue to be part of our lives in all that we do.
Kate
It is so hard for me to talk about John. He and his family were such an important part of my life. He was more like a brother to me than a cousin. We celebrated every holiday and special event together. He was such a happy little boy growing up. As he got older we would talk about what we wanted to do with our lives. He always loved music and I knew he would find a place for himself in that field. We also would talk about the history of our family. He was very curious about our grandparents and where they came from. I wish we stayed in touch with each other more but our lives went in different directions. I know you are at peace now and that you are united once again with your whole family. It must have been wonderful seeing each other again. Love you John. Always did and always will. You are in my heart forever. Janie
Dear Sabine, Chris, Anna Lee, & Stephanie,
We are so sorry for your profound loss. John was a blessing to befriend. We always found him to be gentle & kind, a great listener, fun to hang with and an encyclopedia of the music world.
Above all, John was happy to live life to the fullest & share his knowledge & talents with others.
John had a special gift of humbly glowing when reminiscing about family and music, which spoke volumes of the priorities of his heart.
It was so evident that he loved you all so much and that he was so thankful for the many good years of building his legacy as a loving husband, a proud dad and a true friend. Although he was taken way too soon, our hope is that you will find solace in the quality of his journey through life. May God bless you & protect you always.
With much Love, Jeff & Denise Katz
Dear Sabine, Christopher, Anna Lee and Stephanie
There are no words which can express the feelings about your loss. We will always think of John, he was kind, friendly and it was always a pleasure to meet him. We Met him in New York with my Kids, unforgettable visit , we me him in Eichenberg and his sympathy touched us.
You all are in our thoughts and we send you strength, confidence and love during this challenging time.
Claudia + Jürgen
Hi Daddy
These last 5 years feel like a blur, and it’s hard to comprehend what even happened. Looking back, I am so grateful that I was always your little girl, and I wish I wasn’t in such a rush to grow up. Thanks for never missing a dance recital or a NYSSMA performance, and paying me every week to pack you lunch to take to work. I’m sure my sandwiches weren’t as good as you made them out to be. Thanks for taking us skiing, driving me to work every saturday morning, and letting us get a dog at the mall. My favorite memories with you are going to work with you in the city, and reading you the mail every night when you got home from work while you ate dinner.
Love you,
Stefanie
To Dad,
I don’t know where to begin while writing this, but I guess thank you is a good place to start. Thank you for being the man who taught me how to tie a tie, who brought me to my little league practices, and who helped me learn to drive. Thank you for, alongside Mom, always making sure we had food on the table and a bed to sleep in. Thank you for setting an almost unspoken standard, allowing Stefanie, Anna Lee, and I to realize our potential as we grew into adulthood.
While your time with us has been cut early, your values and influence on your family will live on. Rest easy, and say hello to Frank and Susan for everyone.
Love always,
Christopher
To my dad,
Clinging onto all the good memories moving forward...there are so many over the 27 years together. You have taught me so much that I will hold onto and carry with me every single day.
There's too many to list..but here are just a few things you taught me:
-How to lead with creativity and passion in all things you do!
-Importance of kindness and positivity
-And, a whole lot about music!!
So many good ones to think back on, here are just a few great memories to share:
-Writing 'Lincoln's Quote' together
-Running downstairs saying 'Daddy's home!!' when you came home from work
-Many Family band practices
-Hiking Cold Spring Harbor trail on the weekend and just talking
-Trip to Mexico a few years back with Mommy. Last time we travelled together.
Knowing that I can't call you anymore, walk with you anymore, see you anymore, just doesn't feel right, our time got cut way too short -- but I know that you will always be with me in spirit, looking down on us all, and I will think of you always.
I love you, Daddy.
Anna Lee
I’ll always remember John as a skilled guitarist and a lover of all things music—ever curious and extremely knowledgeable.
John was talented and helpful and was always upbeat and positive. An incredibly smart, kind, and gentle person whose legacy of music, family, and friends lives on and will long endure.
Some of the memories I will cherish is when we went to see some shows like Dylan and Willie Nelson, playing music together or even meeting up for lunch and just having a good chat.
His great joy was being a husband and a dad. He truly cherished experiencing the world with his children. Whether it was playing music with them or taking them camping or traveling, you could just tell he loved to have them near.
To Sabine, Anna Lee, Stephanie and Christopher, We’re thinking of you during this difficult time of grieving and loss.
Tom and Kathleen
John was a wonderful presence and I was grateful to know him for most of my life through his friendship with my father. I have fond childhood memories of going to large family parties, but getting to know him as an adult was even better. We bonded over a love of music and guitar, and it was always a treat to hear him and my dad reminisce. One of the last times I saw him we went to jones beach and had a rockin’ good time - that’s how I’ll always remember him! We’ll miss you John
To the Sadocha family,
Thank you always for the kindness and warmth you showed me while I was with John in New York. I will never forget our walks and weekly conversations. John was an incredible father and husband and he loved his family from the bottom of his heart. I’m very happy I met John and the rest of the Sadocha family. I’ll miss you John.
From the 80’s Long Island Rock Clubs
To Nashville in the late 90’s
Then back Home in 2000’s
The Best of Times
Family, Friends & Music
We’ll Miss You Johnny
Linda, John & Eddie
Q: How did you meet John?
A: John and I met at Hofstra where we both studied classical guitar. We quickly became good friends. I will always remember all the great times attending concerts, watching his band, attending Rangers games with his brother Frankie and going hiking. I also remember all the great times spending time with John and Sabine.
I was lucky to know John. You will be missed.
Q: How did you meet John?
A: John and I were classmates at Hofstra and started our music industry careers at BMI’s International Department. From there we went in different directions but John never failed to keep in touch. You will be dearly missed.
Your friend,
Consuelo
John was a quiet giant of a human. His love of family and music were on display every single day. I had the good fortune of working with John at a number of shops along the way. He was a thoughtful and loyal soldier every step of the journey. While he has left us way too soon, he will be remembered fondly and often. Play. On brother. NG 3.31.25
Dear Sadocha Family, I can’t even begin to say how grateful I am to have had John be a part of my life. His gentle kindness, warm heart, passion for music and love for all of you will forever be imprinted on my heart. Thank you for sharing him with us at the center! John will surely be missed but never forgotten. Xoxoxo
John you were one of the greatest colleagues one could ever dream of working alongside. Your kindness was beyond extraordinary, and your love of music - and good music I might add - was unparalleled. The last time I saw John I got to bring him to some radio stations in NYC with Brian and Eddie Holland and the joy he has in this photo is how I will always remember him. To the Sodacha family my heart breaks for your devastating loss. Sending you love and warmth during such a painful time. I love you John xx
Dear Sabine, Christopher, Anna Lee, and Stephanie, my deepest condolences. I wish you strength during this difficult time!
The news deeply affected me, but he will live on in our hearts.
I can still remember our vacation in the USA as if it were yesterday. Our trip to West Point for the college football game, the city trips to New York City, the visit to the motorcycle museum in Oyster Bay where Billy Joel suddenly walked through the door, the delicious BBQ at your house, and of course, the visit to the local brewery. We will all miss him!!!!!!❤️
Sending so much love to our angel, John, and his family: Anna Lee, Sabine, Chris, and Stefanie. His legacy of kindness, compassion, and passion for music will live on through his children and Sabine. May God rest your soul, and may you rejoice with my Dad up in Heaven.
My brother-in-law, John, was an amazing person. He looked up to his big brother, Frankie, and was always a champion for family advocacy. John and Sabine raised three amazing children and his legacy will continue with them. I loved you,John… Rest peacefully.
To Anna and family, growing close to you guys has been one of my life's greatest blessings. Mr. Sadocha was one of the sweetest souls I’ve ever met and the man that raised my best friend. I believe everyone has a mission in this life and Mr. Sadocha accomplished his, he was an amazing father, teacher, and genuinely loving person. He left behind a beautiful legacy of compassion and he will be missed dearly. May God grant you guys peace and continual strength.
To my sweet Uncle John, whom I came to love and appreciate even more over the past four years. It was the greatest honor to rekindle our relationship—a connection to the memory of my dad, your sweet big brother, Frankie. I cherished every moment we spent together, listening to your stories about the good old times with John and Frankie.
You will be deeply missed in this physical world, but I find comfort knowing your spirit is now reunited with Frankie. I am so grateful to have such beautiful angels watching over us. Both of your lives were taken far too soon, but we will continue to say your names and cherish the memories we shared.
Some of my favorite moments with you include:
Taking you to see Avatar—we were both so excited to go to the movies, have popcorn and candy, and just kick back and enjoy the experience.
Visiting the Oyster Bay 9/11 memorial with you and your friend, who had lived with my dad. Walking there with you made me feel so close to him; every moment spent with you brought that energy back, even up until our last moments together.
Sharing in your deep appreciation for music. I will treasure the vinyl records you gave me even more now.
I will continue to look after your sweet family, who hold a tender place in my heart. Sabine, Annalee, Stef, and Chris—I love you all and am so grateful to call you family in this lifetime.
Lots of love, always and forever.
XO, Kris
Dear Sabine, Christopher, Anna Lee, and Stephanie,
We are sending big hugs and lots of love to all of you at this difficult time. It is because of John / your dad that we met. They say good things come out of challenges, and our friendship is a wonderful example of that. Mark and John always enjoyed each other at day program. Sabine and I got very close as a result of being in our support group together, and our families came together and found ways to thrive even with the difficulties we all faced. We cherish you all and will always continue to be there for you. We hope, in time, the grief you now feel will be replaced by all the wonderful memories you have of your very special husband / dad, and they will fill your heart. Please know we are here for you now, and always.
With love, Lauren , Mark, Nicole, Emily, and Kathleen. ❤️
Dear Sabine, Chris, Anna Lee and Stephanie,
John's loss has touched us deeply. We offer our condolences to you and wish for continued love and peace for you today and every day. John was special, we know that. We're sure you will forever carry him in your hearts. May you find solace in knowing that he will be with you too.
Sending Our Love,
Andrew, Nancy & Mads
