John Prouty, of Plantation Woods, Venice, FL, passed away peacefully on his 79th birthday following a brief medical emergency.  John is survived by his wife, Sue Ellen (Suzy); his daughters, Julie Paul and Jaime Malia; his sons-in-law, Joseph Paul and David Malia; his five grandchildren, Eric Henkel, Jeffrey DiSalvio, Olivia Henkel, Christian John (C.J.) DiSalvio and Mason Malia; and his sister, Linda Cunningham.   

John valiantly served his country from 1967-1971 as a US Marine and was a decorated Vietnam combat veteran.  Although he was quiet and humble about his own military service, he was a loud and proud lifelong Marine.  All who knew him recognized that November 10th (the USMC’s birthday) was just as important to John, perhaps more so, than his own.  The terms “Ooh rah” and “Semper Fi” were common from John, particularly when watching any of his beloved military movies.  “You want me on that wall.  You need me on that wall.”  IYKYK.

John met Suzy in 1972, in York, PA, where they both grew up.  After a whirlwind romance, they married on May 26, 1973, and enjoyed more than 52 years of marriage.  Over those years, John and Suzy made moving an art form, leaving York for Frederick County, MD, then to Syracuse, NY, followed by Bucks County, PA, back to York, again back to Bucks County, and ultimately to their current home of the last 20 years at the Plantation.  Notably, John and Suzy are among the longest-tenured members of the Plantation Golf and Country Club, having joined when they bought their first condo in Farmington Vistas in 1983.

John demonstrated his fierce sense of pride and loyalty in many ways, including his highly successful 40-year career with the same employer, rising from an entry-level position through several levels of management to serving as the President of the Eastern Division of MacSteel USA, until he retired in December 2007.  In his 18 years of retirement, John was just as dedicated to his personal passions, which were reflected in the simple pleasures he cherished. He found great satisfaction in yard work, swimming, and golf, dedicating time to each with enthusiasm and skill. Above all, his favorite retreat was the family cottage in Fairview, PA on Lake Erie—where he filled his days with his favorite things, such as spending endless hours working in the yard (often with a grandchild or two lagging behind him), tending epic beach bonfires, conning “Lovies” (Suzy) into “one more” chocolate cake or cookie, and taking long walks up Walnut Creek to his beloved waterfall.  These were the moments of peace and reflection that he treasured, sharing them with those he loved most.

Those who knew John well will remember his delightful “Prouty-isms,” phrases that became signatures of his personality. “It is what it is,” “I used to say this about that,” “Have you been where I’ve been?,” “Ain’t that somethin?,” “Rise and shine,” “Mm-hmm,” and the ever-personalized “Whatcha-doin [insert name]?” were just a few of his favorite expressions, always delivered with his trademark humor and warmth. He truly was larger than life—the “boss” of all the things and absolutely one of a kind.  He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Private services and celebration of John’s life for friends and family will be announced at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that tributes in John’s memory be made to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, whose mission it is to end veteran homelessness and support families of fallen or catastrophically wounded veterans and first responders (Tunnel to Towers Foundation).