John Philip Acunto

John P. Acunto, Sr, known as “Johnny”, to some, aged 80, of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, passed away suddenly and peacefully on December 10, 2025.

A devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, he was cherished for his smile, his warmth, kindness and steadfast love.

Born to John and Lonnie on September 20,1945, in New York, NY. John grew up in Garden City, Long Island with his sister, Carol. John and Carol spent many summers at Point Lookout with their grandparents. John loved boating and the Point Lookout marina. He spent several summers during his teens, working at the marina often sharing lunch at the docks with his grandfather who would walk down to sit and chat with him. This fond memory is one he cherished and spoke of often. Being there shaped his lifelong passion for boating and fishing and laid the foundation for his deep love of family and grandparenting that guided and remained central to him throughout his life.

John’s love of sports, playing, coaching and spectating took root early in his childhood, and he became a familiar face on the baseball diamond in high school spending countless hours playing the game he loved. Equally passionate about science, John was always experimenting at home, driven by curiosity and creativity as a young boy. He often shared the story of building his own transistor radio—a favorite memory that captured his inventive spirit and lifelong joy in discovery.

After high school he attended Tarkio College in Tarkio, MO where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Business Administration, with a minor in English, from Tarkio College in Missouri in 1968.

John dreamed of becoming an Archeologist but after graduating from Tarkio College, during the Vietnam war, he answered the call to serve his country. He was recruited and commissioned into the United States Air Force on August 23, 1969, ultimately promoted to the rank of Captain, and served a tour in Vietnam from May 1971 until August 1972 as a fighter pilot proudly in the cockpit of his F-106 under the USAF Air Defense Command. He often regaled us with his stories of flying at Mach 1.5 and scrambling to “escort” Russian Air Force Bears down the U.S. coastline when they tried to “visit” us here in the United States. Returning from Vietnam, he was delighted to receive orders for Tyndall Air Force base in Panama City, FL where he trained as a 1744-A Weapons Controller and 1744-E Air Weapons Controller - Instructor. He loved training new pilots. Throughout his service, John was recognized for his skill, leadership, and commitment, receiving multiple commendations and ribbons—including the Air Force Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service. He loved his role in developing, planning and writing the annual William Tell exercises for the Air Force in the Gulf of Mexico. After 19 years in both active and reserve duty, he was honorably discharged on November 16, 1986.

After leaving active duty, in 1978, John began a successful career with his buddy Frank Raynor as a mortgage banker, opening Raynor and Associates, expanding quickly with offices throughout the state of Florida until 1995 when many economic changes affecting the mortgage industry led him to pursue other business opportunities. In 1983, he and Debbie, his wife, moved their family to Hollywood, FL where they lived while raising their 5 children until 2012 when they moved to Jupiter, FL. He loved life in Jupiter!

The mortgage industry had allowed him to form lasting friendships many of them enduring throughout his life. Several of those friends followed him into his last two business venues that ultimately led him down a path that enabled him to combine his extensive knowledge of chemistry and the geological development of the earth with that dream of archeology.

In 1995 he purchased Supertech Chemical Manufacturing Company that specialized in producing many products used in the airline, tourist and healthcare industries bringing him major contracts with Fort Lauderdale and Miami International airports, Disney World in Orlando and Memorial Healthcare Systems of South Florida, among other major corporate customers. However, his purchase of Supertech also helped him develop several products that assisted with the drilling of oil and gas wells. He studied extensively and merged his product development with his knowledge of topography, soil composition and rock formations into his work in the oil industry. He became an expert in oil and natural gas well drilling and management. He established himself throughout the industry as a consultant and expert. He retired with the onset of Covid but remained a part-time consultant until his death.

Retirement allowed John to enjoy his passion for sports, especially football. He was a devoted Dolphin’s fan, especially in the Dan Marino era but his true love for football was in watching collegiate football, something he confided brought him such relaxation and pleasure.

Retirement also enabled John to spend more time with his family. He enjoyed recreational golf, fishing, and traveling with his wife and friends on cruises and attending sporting events involving his children and grandchildren, cheering from the stands and sharing in their triumphs. He loved to read and had an amazing library of murder mystery and espionage novels. His unbelievable knowledge of world history totally amazed anyone who knew him.

In the past 3 years he and Debbie traveled across the United States, exploring new places and creating lasting memories. They loved planning trips to the Colorado Rockies, California, Minnesota and seeing as many National parks as they could. They loved the fact that their two little rescue dogs, Sadie and Sophia were such happy, well-behaved travelers. It thrilled him when people everywhere including many Delta pilots would stop them to pet and speak to the “girls” in their bright pink harnesses with their Delta wing pins.

John’s jovial spirit and genuine kindness defined him. Wherever his family gathered, John was there, offering support, laughter, and love. His smile and laughter lit up every room, and his thoughtful nature touched everyone he met. He was quick to help, sincere in his concern, and beloved by all who knew him.

John’s care extended to the family’s dogs—Snow Bear, Sadie, and Sophia and many four-legged friends that came before them. He took pride in walking them, often clocking over 10,000 steps a day with his loyal companions.

John was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary; his parents, John Acunto, Jr. and Lonnie Albano Acunto, his brothers-in-law, Robert N. Kelley, Sr., John Battilana, his sister-in-law, Kimberley Kelley Alder, and recently his father-in-law, Robert N. Kelley, Sr. of Gettysburg, PA.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Deborah Kelley Acunto, their children, John P. Acunto, Jr, Nancy Acunto, Scott Acunto, Heather Aughey, and Jenni Rogg as well as his daughter-in-law and sons-in-law; his grandchildren, John Andrew Acunto, Kara Acunto, London Acunto, Mila Acunto, August Acunto, Jace Aughey, Brayden Greene, and Milo Rogg; several nephews, nieces and first great niece. His family meant everything to him and his legacy of love, patience, strength and kindness continues in all who knew him.

Visitation for John with the family will take place on Tuesday, December 30th from 5:00PM until 8:00PM with a memorial service at 7:00PM at Palms West Funeral Home and Crematory, 110 Business Park Way, Royal Palm Beach, FL33411

Private burial will be at the National Cemetery of South Florida on December 31.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to John’s favorite charitable organizations:

1. The Legal Aid Society of Broward County (Mission United Veterans Project),
2. Furry Friends Humane – Animal Rescue, Jupiter, FL.
3. Wounded Warriors Semper Fi America’s Warrior Partnership.
4. The American Heart Association.