John Edward D'Elia
Sep 17, 1980 -
Dec 19, 2021
On Dec. 19, 2021, John Edward D'Elia died tragically, at the age of 41, at the Marx Brothers Cafe in Anchorage, Alaska, where he was the Chef de Cuisine. John was born in New Port Richey, Fla., on Sept. 17, 1980. He graduated from Ridgewood High School in Pasco County, Fla., in 2000, where he was a star football player known as the "Beast from the East." He then joined the United States Marine Corps, where he served for four years as a fixed-wing aircraft power plant mechanic at MCAS Miramar in San Diego, Calif. Following the attack on Sept. 11, 2001, John was part of the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary force sent to Kuwait, where he served for nine months. While stationed in San Diego, John met Sheyna Wisdom and they were married in 2005. After separating from the USMC, John decided on a major career change and attended the San Diego Culinary Institute. The day after he graduated, John and Sheyna with baby on the way moved to Anchorage.
John was an amazingly talented chef and worked at several restaurants around Anchorage, including the Bridge, Sak's Cafe, Glacier Brewhouse, Rustic Goat and Marx Brothers Cafe. John was also a pioneer in bringing food trucks to Anchorage, operating the Urban Bamboo food truck, famous for his BLTs. After selling the truck, he came back to Marx Brother's Cafe, where he designed and cultivated a greenhouse in addition to all the other management aspects of the restaurant. John was many things to many people: he was a talented chef, gun enthusiast, creative artist, music lover, trash talker and big teddy bear … but most importantly, he was a daddy to his daughter, Kea Linda D'Elia. Kea was his world and their bond was noticed by everyone who saw them together. John was known for his larger-than-life laugh, deep baritone voice, big smile, legendary hugs, pumpkin-carving, obsession of food and pride for Kea.
John is survived by his daughter Kea, of Anchorage; mother of his child and best friend, Sheyna of Anchorage; father, Lawrence D'Elia of Spring Hill, Fla.; mother, Debra Dereniski of Hudson, Fla.; birth mother, Phillene Howard of Spring Hill; sister, Cassandra D'Elia Dean of Weeki Wachee, Fla.; sister, Deanna Ris of Spring Hill; sister, Danielle D'Elia of Hudson; many nephews, nieces and cousins; as well as friends in Florida, San Diego and Anchorage. He is preceded in death by his grandfather, John D. D'Elia of New Port Richey; and his grandmother, Bunny Ann D'Elia of Largo, Fla. John's ashes will be interred at the National Cemetery on Fort Richardson in Anchorage; a military honors ceremony will be held for the family on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, at 2:30 p.m. A celebration of life will be held for friends and family, at a date/time/location to be determined. John had told Kea that he wanted a big party with people wearing colors, not black. In lieu of flowers, consider donating to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, https://www.nmcrs.org/donate, or a charity of your choice.
