John H. Vargo

John Harry Vargo passed away peacefully on April 17, 2023. He was 87 years old. 
John was born in October 7, 1935 in Buchanan, New York to John Vargo, Sr. and Helen Dohan. He is survived by his four children, John Michael, Joanne, James and Christopher  (Monique), along with his sister Helen (Conklin) and his  brother Robert and his two beloved grandchildren Gwenevere and Gavin.  He was pre-deceased by Mary Ellen Vargo, his beloved wife of 54 years who left this earth March 28, 2013. 
John was publisher and editor of Boating on The Hudson and Beyond, a magazine he purchased in 2000. The magazine was an advocate for all things related to the Hudson River, driving his own adventurous spirit. Prior to purchasing the magazine he worked in sales for among other companies, Pitney Bowes, AT&T, Sunshine Biscuit Company. He was also an inventor and awarded seven patents  He was an early member of the Hudson River Fishermen’s Association and founder of the Pathways to Pollination late in his life. His passions included duck hunting, fishing of all types, especially striped bass on which he authored  a book “Striped Bass: Fishing on the Hudson River, a Guide,” ice boat sailing his 150 year old stern steering ice yacht “the Maryellen” and his modern bow steering “The Arrow,” jet skiing, and flying his hovercraft. John, along with other friends from Verplanck, including Walter Trip, and Malcolm Park founded the Optimus Pram Fleet on Lake Meahaugh, where Saturday races were a weekly ritual all summer. He was well known,  liked, loved and respected throughout the Hudson River Valley and the Erie Canal due to the aforementioned endeavors and other too numerous to list.

The visitation will be held at O’Mara and Carpentieri Funeral Home at 97 Broadway, Verplanck, New York, from 2pm to 4pm and 7pm to 9pm on Thursday April 20. The funeral will be at Saint Patricks Church at 10 AM on Friday, April 21. There will be a celebration of his life and legacy at the Cortlandt Yacht Club on Sunday, April 23 at 1pm. In Lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations may be sent to the Hudson River Fisherman’s Association.

O'Mara & Carpentieri Funeral Home

97 Broadway

Verplanck, New York 10596

914-293-0700

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