John Donald Wagstaff's Obituary
JOHN DONALD WAGSTAFF, age 58, of Frederick, MD, passed away on January 14, at home surrounded by his family. Born on November 16, 1966, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, John lived a full and meaningful life, marked by deep connections with family, friends, and the community.
At the age of two, John returned to the United States in the fall of 1968 with his mother and older siblings following the sudden passing of his father, an executive at General Electric who had been assigned to Puerto Rico. The family settled in Potomac, Maryland, where John grew up on Cold Spring Road with his mother, brother, sister, and his uncle (his mother’s brother), who raised the Wagstaff children as his own. John attended Norwood Elementary School, then Christ Episcopal for middle school, and spent his first three years of high school at Good Counsel before graduating from Wootton High School in his senior year. He went on to major in Business at Towson University.
In 2001, newlywed John and his wife decided to leave Montgomery County and begin building their family’s roots in Frederick.
John had a distinguished 21-year career in telecommunications, starting with Sprint in its early years, long before it became the brand we know today. He played a key role in launching both Cricket and MetroPCS in Maryland, DC, and Virginia. In his final role before returning to Sprint, John served as Regional Sales Director for MetroPCS’s Baltimore/Washington DC region—one of its top five markets. Under his leadership, revenue grew to $200 million in three years, while expanding 184 exclusive dealerships and 75 multi-carrier locations. John’s legacy is one of visionary leadership, dedication, and a lasting impact on all who worked with him.
John had a deep passion for cars and motorcycles, with his dream bike—a Ducati Diavel—sitting proudly in his garage. He was a great mechanic, superbly handy with both cars and home projects, and could fix just about anything—many joked he missed his true calling. He was an exceptional skier, always up for seafood or sushi, and over the years, evolved from a meat-and-potatoes guy to a full-fledged foodie. TV was always on (with news channels in heavy rotation), and he loved going to the movies, though the popcorn was usually the main attraction. A true audiophile, John was a fan of high-quality sound systems and gadgets of all kinds. He had a special fondness for Costco, where he could always find something unexpected, and Home Depot, where a new project was never far off. John was a man of diverse passions and an adventurous spirit.
John’s first love and top priority was always his wife, his children, and his beloved English Bulldog, Tank. When he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in 2017 and given only six months to two years to live, he made a resolute commitment to fight for his health and create more precious memories with his family. His courageous battle gave him nearly eight more years, during which he focused on new experiences, travel, and traditions for his family. He proudly taught his kids how to drive and watched them earn their licenses. He played an active role in Homecoming and Prom preparations and shared the emotional experience of moving his son into college. He embraced his role as a supportive parent to his daughter, a student-athlete and class leader. John also cherished frequent Jeep rides and walks with Tank, where they rarely moved more than five minutes without being stopped by people eager to meet and pet his "fur best friend." Through it all, John’s unwavering dedication to his family was his greatest source of strength.
John is survived by his devoted wife of 24 years, Tanya; his children, Brandon Patrick and Andie Grace; his siblings, William Douglas Wagstaff (wife, Elizabeth) and Helen Lee Leroy; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Moore Wagstaff and Patricia Hanson, and his beloved uncle, Donald Joseph Hanson.
Friends and family are invited to join in remembering John and celebrating his life. Viewing and visitation will be held on Saturday, January 18, at 11:00 am at Resthaven Funeral Home (Frederick, MD), with a funeral mass to follow on Tuesday, January 21, at 11:00 am at St. Joseph on Carrollton Manor (Frederick, MD).
John will be profoundly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. A kind-hearted, loving, and compassionate soul, he was courage and strength personified. His warmth, humor, and unwavering dedication to his family and friends will forever be remembered. John’s legacy will live on in the hearts of all those he touched, leaving an indelible mark that will never fade.
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