Obituary of John H. Horton III

John Henry Horton III, 67, of Lakeland, FL, passed away peacefully on January 7, 2025, at Cornerstone Hospice in Clermont, Florida. Born on May 19, 1957, in Jacksonville, NC, John lived a life marked by adventure, dedication to his passions, and deep love for his family. He was a proud son, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend whose memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

John's journey began in Jacksonville, NC, where his father, the late John Henry Horton, Jr., was serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. The family moved to Rochester, NY, where John grew up and attended Irondequoit High School. At just 16 years old, he earned a black belt in Judo from the United States Judo Federation, becoming the youngest black belt ever awarded at the time

After graduating from Irondequoit High School in 1975, John worked at The Penny Arcade, a popular rock music venue in Rochester, where he became friends with club owner Greg Sullivan. The Penny Arcade hosted iconic acts like Bon Jovi, Foghat, Bad Company, Greg Allman, and Metallica, and John was proud to be part of its rich history.

In the 1990s, John moved to Florida, where he worked in the cable TV industry, managing teams of workers who installed and maintained cable lines throughout the southern United States. In 2003, after his mother became ill, John returned to Rochester, where he earned a business degree from Everest University and after completing training with H&R Block, managed a tax office for them. After retiring, John returned to Florida, where he enjoyed his time surrounded by his family and friends.

John had a lifelong love for motorcycles. He cherished the freedom of the open road and the camaraderie of the motorcycle community. His passion for bikes, along with his love for family and friends, defined much of his life. John also had a deep passion for cooking and he found joy in experimenting with new recipes. For him, cooking wasn't just about food it was a way to nurture and show his love for those closest to him.

John was predeceased by: his parents, John H. Horton Jr. and Dorothy A. Horton; grandparents, Antoinette & Joseph Pucci, and Constance Horton; and several uncles and aunts and cousins: Roger & Sheila Horton, Ralph Horton, Ronald Furstoss, John & Rose Pucci, Joan Horton, Dawn Horton, Louis Bouchard, John Pienio, and Anthony Pucci.

He is survived by his beloved girlfriend, Judith Lessard; his daughter, Jessica R Savage; his brother, Joseph S. Horton (Sandra Cordova); his sister, Dorothea A. Horton; his grandchildren, Julia Savage and Jessene' Savage-Orengo; and his nephew, Mark Cordova. He is also survived by cherished aunts and uncles: Dom and June Piazza, Rance Horton, Rosemary Bouchard, Jeannette Furstoss, Kathleen Horton, Angela Pienio, Delores Pucci, Margaret Zaccone, and their families, as well as many lifelong friends.

The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff at NeuLife Rehabilitation in Mount Dora, Florida, and Cornerstone Hospice in Clermont, Florida, for the exceptional care and unwavering compassion they showed to my brother John and to our family. We would also like to express our deepest gratitude to our cousin James Horton, for the love and support he showed to our brother during his time in the hospital and hospice.

A Celebration of John's Life will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Harris Funeral Home, 570 Kings Highway, Rochester, NY. Visiting hours will begin at 10:00 am with a funeral service at 11:00 am followed by internment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 2461 Lake Avenue, Rochester, NY 14612.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Cornerstone Hospice, 2100 Oakley Seaver Drive, Clermont, Florida 34711. https://cornerstonehospice.org/the-foundation/your-support