John Astarita

John Astarita, Sr, 68, lost his battle with cancer on June 2nd 2017, while being comforted by his loving wife and sons. John was born in New York City to Josephine and Michael Astarita on November 18th, 1948. He grew up in Manhattan before moving to Manchester New Hampshire where he graduated from New Hampshire College in 1971. In New Hampshire, John and his wife 'Ginny' raised three sons. John spent the last 15 years living and working in Las Vegas Nevada.
John played and coached basketball from New York to New Hampshire, a sport he loved and utilized to improve the lives of many people. He raced and trained harness horses up and down the east coast as a young man. John was also a legend in the race and sports gambling industry, where he enjoyed a long and successful career.
He encouraged everyone he interacted with to 'keep smiling'. He will be remembered by countless friends and family for his smile and unique nature to treat people with respect, joy, and kindness. His granddaughters Lola and Gwen were the lights of his life. He is survived by his wife of 46 years Virginia, son John Jr and wife Samantha and their two daughters Lola and Gwen, son Michael, son Jason and fiancée Jessica, his mother Josephine, sisters Marilyn, Diane, and Adrienne, and brother Michael.
SERVICES: A memorial gathering will be held on Wednesday, June 14, from 4 – 7 pm at The Phaneuf Funeral Home, 250 Coolidge Avenue, Manchester, NH. A memorial mass will be celebrated on Thursday, June 15, 10 am at St. Elizabeth Seton Church, 190 Meetinghouse Road in Bedford, NH. Committal prayers and interment will follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery, in Bedford.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in John's name to the American Cancer Society