Obituaries
John Jay Witmer, 70
May 15, 2025
John Jay Witmer, 70, of Quarryville, PA, passed away peacefully and surrounded by loved ones on Thursday, May 15, 2025. John was the son of Norman and Mary Cover Witmer and a proud graduate of Hempfield High School, Class of 1972. John was a devoted husband of almost 40 years to Miriam Witmer, a proud father to Marissa Witmer, and a best friend to many four-legged companions over the years.
John lived life with a wrench in one hand and a punchline in the other. He was never far from a car show, a tennis court, or a cleverly sarcastic comment. Whether as a former manager at Musselman Jewelers or Salesman of the Year at Autohaus in 1984, John’s charisma, business sense, and sharp wit left a lasting impression. But it was through AIC Auto Sales, his beloved classic car business, that he truly found his calling. Known by many simply as “the Porsche Guru,” John restored and curated classic Porsches and other niche vehicles with the kind of reverence usually reserved for museum artifacts — except his exhibits had horsepower.
A man of many passions, John was an avid tennis player and national USTA competitor, a skilled marksman, and a decorated autocross racer who earned the prestigious Wigglesworth Award multiple times. He was a long-standing member and former Director of the Central Pennsylvania Porsche Club of America. His garage doubled as both an autocross prep zone and a shrine to all things fast, loud, and lovingly maintained. He loved Harley-Davidson motorcycles almost as much as he loved converting his family into a Harley crew — matching gear and all.
Fluent in sarcasm and proudly known as “JW” to close friends and family, John had a knack for turning even the most mundane moment into a laugh and you always knew where he stood on issues. His wardrobe was a joyful riot of graphic tees and wild prints, and his presence guaranteed mischief, humor, and a quick one-liner delivered with perfect timing.
He was a dedicated founder and vice president of Celebration for Life, Inc., a nonprofit raising funds for the fight against cancer. He took pride in cooking countless pigs for Camp Can-Do, a camp for children with cancer. John also found immense joy in cooking his specialty paella, and serving his “famous” Pork and Sauerkraut Good Luck Feasts to friends and family on New Year’s Day,
Music filled his life too — from beloved local band Trilogy, to Pink Floyd, Coldplay and Radiohead blasting from the garage speakers while he polished a Porsche to perfection. But above all, His love was fierce, his loyalty unwavering, and his ability to fix — be it an engine or a bad day — unmatched.
John is survived by Miriam and Marissa, as well as a wide circle of lifetime friends, former teammates, and customers who became like family. He was preceded in death by his older brother, Barry Witmer, with whom we’re sure he’s now swapping stories and toasting a life well lived.
A celebration of John’s life and visitation with the family will be held on Wednesday, May 21st, 2025 6:00 – 8:00PM at Charles F. Snyder III Funeral Home & Crematory, 2421 Willow Street Pike, Willow Street, PA In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Celebration for Life, Inc., at https://www.c4life.org/donate/, honoring John’s passion for helping Camp Can Do Forever children smile, even on their hardest days.
His legacy lives on — in every classic Porsche he cherished, every autocross course he dominated, and every laugh that rings out when someone remembers John’s wit.
Watch the tribute videoLeave a condolence on this Memorial Page
Condolences to the Family
May 20, 2025
I was able to meet John briefly at the recent C4L Night of Wishes and from what I remember he was a wonderful soul. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Vinh Tran
May 20, 2025
Miriam and Marisa,
Anne and I send our deepest heartfelt condolences on the passing of JW. You’ve seen and heard the many wonderful (and accurate) words reflecting his influence on so many others. We pray for your comfort, peace- and joy, as you begin the journey forward and reflect on the good times, care, and love that John brought you.
Jay and Anne Butterfield
May 20, 2025
I never met him in person, but i knew him through the joy others spoke of him. May i see each shiny porche in JW eyes
Betsy Saatman
May 19, 2025
Kim & I offer our sincere condolances and quite setback discoverying your lost. Our heart and prayers are with you & Marisaa.
Steven Risk
May 19, 2025
I am sorry for your loss
William McGrorty
May 19, 2025
Dear Miriam & Melissa,
You are in my prayers. May all your Fond memories of John help you along at this very sad time.
Linda Mullen
May 19, 2025
Miriam, Scott and I send our heartfelt condolences to you and Marissa. We were fortunate to have spent some time with John at the recent C4L Night of 1000 Wishes where I enjoyed his quick wit and humor. We are blessed to have experienced his passion of his well-loved Porsches – Scott even driving one to a polo match. Most of all I will remember the smiles he put on the faces of the children at Camp Can Do both at his famous pig roasts and the work he did at C4L. He will always be in our hearts.
Karen MacAinsh
May 18, 2025
The car world will miss him ❤️🙏
Richard S Stremmel
May 18, 2025
Our deepest sympathy to you & Marissa on the loss of John. It was such a pleasure to to know him, play tennis together, party together & laugh together. We hope that all of your special memories can sustain you at this sad time.
Nancy & Dave Henry
May 18, 2025
John, was a wonderful person and so helpful to me. He really was an understanding and compassionate person. You have my deepest sympathies sincerely with peace and love, Jim Halle
May 18, 2025
Condolences to those that know and love him.
Ian W. Taggart
May 18, 2025
John & I met in the early 90’s at my storage facility in Willow Street,when this hippie kind of guy csme in and wanted to rent 5 units for 5 Ferrari Testa Rosa’s ASAP! He would come in on a Sat morn. start them all up .We would enjoy the sounds of a mini- grand prix over spiked coffee! It was the start of a great friendship as we attended many car show together.Great memories,RIP John!
Al Peinhardt
May 18, 2025
Although I only met John a few times, he was one of the coolest guys I ever met! I know he loved his family more than anything! Fly high with the angels! You’re at peace now God bless your family!
Lisa Marie Stuart
May 18, 2025
R.I.P. John, you will be missed. Sending love to your beloveds, Miriam and Marissa, and extended family including Iza. Deepest love and sympathies from us both here in Ireland.
Kenneth G. Hartman
Dennis K. Yates
May 18, 2025
Miriam and Marissa, your family is in my prayers. Ann
May 18, 2025
Miriam,
I am so incredibly sorry to see this. My heart goes out to you and Marissa. I was fortunate to have been invited to dinner and have John make his amazing Paella! Thinking of you and family and sending warm thoughts and love. Tara Hauber
May 18, 2025
Very sorry for the families loss. Many fun times at the swap meets and other Porsche events. Always much laughter! He will be missed
John Dohner
May 18, 2025
JW is an example of an ordinary person who was extraordinary. He will be missed tremendously by my family and me. Thank you for being a loving partner to Miriam and know that your legacy lives on through Marissa.
Bob Bentz
May 18, 2025
So sorry to hear of John’s passing. He was a classmate of mine and he sat in the row next to me in homeroom. His obituary said he had a sarcastic wit. That was true then too, but I will always remember him as a really nice guy.
Nancy (Wenger) Eitnier
- Services
- Wednesday, May 21, 2025
- 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- Charles F. Snyder III Funeral Home & Crematory
- 2421 Willow Street Pike
- Willow Street, PA
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