John Patrick Nardi, 69, passed away on November 30, 2024.

John, known affectionately as Johnny and JP, was born on January 4, 1955, the fifth of seven children—six boys and a girl—to Frank and Betty Nardi in the Sunset Heights neighborhood in Harrisonburg, Virginia. JP and his siblings won the childhood lottery: forging enduring friendships with neighborhood kids and their parents that became lifelong extended family.

JP was a gifted athlete, excelling in a variety of sports, including tennis, basketball, and golf. He also loved watching sports of any kind, especially those of his beloved nieces and nephew, whom he doted on for decades from near and far. Over the many years, JP formed a unique and special bond with each of his nieces—Cris, Kate, Brennan, Molly, Emily, Anne, Natalie, Shannon, and Katie—and his nephew Philip. In addition, his nephews-in-law and niece-in-law were embraced and loved as part of the family. In the last few years, he connected with his nephew, Chris, and niece, Laura. Of course, when the next generation of great nieces and nephews came along, Uncle J did what Uncle J does best: creating and nurturing meaningful relationships with each of them.

His work life included James Madison University Athletic Department, Daniels Promotional Products and Extinguisher Sales and Service. In his forties, he fell in love with photography, especially capturing the beauty of the Blue Ridge and gifting images of nature and sunsets to loved ones.

JP was a steady, ever-present, positive influence in the lives of everyone who knew him. He was funny and fun, humble and big-hearted, low key and easy to be around. He was just plain cool. With JP, you knew you had a friend, a brother, an uncle, and a son you could count on no matter what.

It’s often said that people die the way they live; JP embodied that. When he got sick, JP’s family and friends rallied around him. JP had showed up for us; it was our turn to show up for him. An attention seeker he was not, but JP accepted our love and support as a sign of mutual gratitude and understanding that, while big families aren’t always easy, they step up when the going gets rough. Bring on the mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie, the hand-knitted blankets, and the warm and fuzzy slippers.

People who were lucky enough to be in JP’s orbit feel a deep sense of loss. We understand what he meant to us, both in our individual relationships and as a collective of JP fans. He will be dearly missed, but his legacy of loyalty, compassion, good-natured ribbing, genuine interest in our everyday lives, and unconditional love will live on in all of us. We are the lucky ones to have known him and been loved and appreciated by him.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Betty, his brothers David, Steve, and Jim, and his brother-in-law Lanny Holsinger. He is survived by his brothers Tom (Ann Lynn) and Dan (Alyce), his sister Beth Holsinger, and sister-in-law Lynne Clark, as well as a boatload of adoring nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A celebration of JP’s life will be held on December 7, 2024, 4 – 6 p.m., at the Harrisonburg Elks Lodge. The burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Legacy Hospice, 650 Peter Jefferson Parkway, Suite 310, Charlottesville, VA 22911, or online at https://legacy-hospice.com/make_a_donation.php