John S. Terista

DANVERS- John S. Terista, 74, passed away on November 27, 2020 at Salem Hospital. He was born in New York City on April 2, 1946, son of the late John Terista and Madeline (Quinto) Terista. John attended Martin Van Buren High School in Queens, NY. He played baseball for the Brooklyn Cadets, shortstop for Ithaca College, and in the Cape Cod Baseball League in the summer. John graduated from Ithaca College and received his Master’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado in 1968. John volunteered for the Peace Corps where he made many lifelong friendships and memories. While in the Peace Corps in the early 1970’s John spent two years in Lofa county and then Zleh Town, Grand Gedeh, Liberia as a health educator. While in Africa, he spent some time in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire. John loved to travel. He traveled to South America, throughout Europe, skied the Alps, and even lived in Italy for some time. Upon returning to the United States, John taught health education at Danvers High School, and later went on to a career in real estate and financial services. An excellent cook who loved to grow his own vegetables and herbs to use in the kitchen, John enjoyed making ravioli from scratch, among many other recipes taught to him by his loving grandmother. He was always there to lend a hand for home improvement projects, and once restored an old farmhouse in Prince Edward Island, Canada with the help of many friends and family. Above all, John loved his family more than anything, and always put his family and others before himself. He continued to stay in close contact with relatives in Italy and Sicily. He loved to research, record, and share our family genealogy. John coached his son Andrew’s little league teams for years. He never missed one of Andrew’s numerous baseball games, or daughter, Alexandra’s soccer games. He made sure he was always there to see his daughter off on deployment and to be there when her ship returned to homeport. He loved spending time with his granddaughter, Isla, who adored her Papa. The two spent a great deal of time together reading, drawing, sharing homemade Italian ice, and singing together (mostly to Abba’s Mama Mia!) He is survived by his children, Andrew R. Terista and Alexandra R. Terista both of Danvers, MA; His former wife and children’s mother, Deborah A. Riva; His granddaughter Isla Marie Bergman of Danvers, MA. He also leaves behind his brother, Frank Terista of NJ and nephew and niece Timothy Terista and Valerie (Terista) Kloepfer and their families; as well as many close cousins and extended family members. Private services will be held. John will be laid to rest at Annunciation Cemetery in Danvers. A remembrance ceremony will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in John’s name to the Peace Corps or your local Little League.