After graduating from Germantown High School in 1950, John received a degree in Education from Temple University in 1954. Following service in the Army, he continued his schooling at the Cleveland Clinic and became a Physical Therapist in Pennsylvania. He continued working as a Physical Therapist for 50 years.

Along the way he became interested in real estate development, renovating properties at the Jersey Shore – in Avalon, Ocean City and in Strathmere. In Philadelphia he acquired, renovated and operated the Del Mar Morris Hotel, the Chestnut Hill Hotel and the Keswick Theater.

He “discovered” Jim Thorpe in 1975 and purchased 100 acres overlooking Mauch Chunk Lake for family and Boy Scout camping. In the 1980’s, after shedding other properties, he focused on Jim Thorpe as a place to live and be involved in its revival. So, he purchased the then New American Hotel, renamed it The Inn at Jim Thorpe, acquired an abandoned church on West Broadway and with the help of the townspeople, created the Mauch Chunk Museum and Cultural Center. 

John continues giving to the Community in many ways such as being active in Family Promise of Carbon County and in other initiatives involving the homeless.