John Hostetter -

Obituary

Poet, painter, Pirate, song writer, actor, musician, and beloved brother, friend and husband, John Hostetter passed into spirit on September 2, 2016 after a long and difficult battle against cancer and its aftermath. John was born October 6, 1946 in Brooklyn, New York to Ethel Potter Lewis and George Christian Hostetter. He grew up in Hanover, Pennsylvania with brother Chris and sister Flora, graduating from Eichelberger High School in 1964. He went on to attend Catawba College and UNC at Charlotte, and received a Master of Fine Arts in acting from Cornell University. He toured with the National Shakespeare Company before moving to California in 1971. He studied and began to perform the works of Lord Buckley, which he continued to do throughout his life. In 1975 he met Del Appleby, his wife of 40 years. Together they moved to Los Angeles in 1975 where John pursued his interest in acting, appearing in many movies, television shows, commercials and industrial films over his 25 year career. Until his death, he was an active, proud member of Screen Actors Guild, the American Federation of Television and Radio Performers, and Actors Equity Association. In 2001 he and Del moved to Florida and their home on the beachside in New Smyrna Beach. There John discovered and pursued his talent as a visual artist, painting acrylics in the style of Australian aboriginal art, carving and painting custom walking sticks and sea shells, and creating imaginative found-object sculptures. As a musician, John wrote many original songs, and in the last ten years, recorded five albums. John sang and played harmonica and rhythm guitar with a number of bands over the years including the Studs, the Mighty Echoes, and since 2004, the Pirates, the Thursday night house band at Peanuts Sports Bar on Flagler Avenue. His creativity is well documented at www.johnhostetter.com and www.thepiratesnsb.com. John was predeceased by his mother, father and brother. He is survived by his wife, his sister, three nephews, Chris, Tim and Greg, and his grand nephew, Alex. John leaves behind many devoted fans and friends, and a loving family that miss him deeply but rejoice in having known him and having their lives touched by his humor, kindness, loyalty, intelligence, and gentle, loving spirit. The memory of his singular personality will be held dear by all of us forever. Good bye, sweet Prince and Godspeed until we meet again