Born in Elmira, NY, John is a lifelong devout Catholic who is the youngest in a family of seven children. John grew up as a communicant of St. Mary’s Parish (now Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish) in Elmira where he was baptized and confirmed in 1995. John studied European History at SUNY Potsdam and received his B.A. in History in 2012. He stayed at SUNY Potsdam and received his M.S. in Childhood Education in 2014. Since 2014, John has taught in public schools in various grades, including fifth, sixth, and most recently first grade. John is a 3rd Degree Knight of Columbus and is active in Parish life. Currently, John is completing his last semester toward a second master’s degree in Evangelization & Culture at University of St. Thomas at Houston. He will begin studying theology in 2026.

John fell in love with iconography after taking an icon retreat with teacher Peter Pearson. John creates icons with the hope that they will enrich others prayer lives. Each icon is written prayerfully.

John lives at home and when he is not writing icons and teaching, he spends time with his three English Springer Spaniels Bo, Gus, and Zeke.