John Robert Weller was born on March 7, 1945, in Manhattan and peacefully passed away on October 13, 2024, in Jupiter, Florida. His final days were spent surrounded by family and friends, sharing stories and happy memories, and listening to his favorite Doo Wop and John Denver music. Growing up in New York City and Cedarhurst, Long Island, NY, John developed a profound connection with both land and sea from a very young age. He spent countless hours with friends watching offshore boat racing, restoring cars and row boats to resell, and fostering a passion for giving back. At a young age, he founded his first non-profit, All-Together, which aimed to provide underprivileged children the opportunity to spend two weeks each summer with a suburban family, opening doors to a brighter future. After exploring advertising sales, John’s love for the sea beckoned him back. With his former wife Kate, they decided to buy a sailboat, quit their jobs, and sail to the South Pacific (what could go wrong?!). When a storm brought them into the Jupiter Inlet, John met his idol, famed offshore boat racing legend Dick Bertram, a chance encounter that would change the course of his life. Bertram recruited John to sell boats for Richard Bertram & Company Yachts, yielding an instant success. John became their top broker 26 times and remained a loyal friend and dedicated professional.

John's philanthropic spirit continued with the inception of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County Annual Fishing Tournament 41 years ago, a tradition that continues to this day.

Sailing remained a lifelong passion. John spent summers cruising the Abacos with his family on their beloved 33' Morgan Out-islander sailboat 'Shannon C', named after his daughter. He always said “In all the years we’ve owned the boat we’ve never spent one night aboard tied to a dock.” He enjoyed being out at anchor to experience the beauty and adventure of the islands. John's love for boats led to a diverse collection, from Abaco dinghies to his cherished CatBoat sailboat with some Bertrams and Boston Whalers mixed in between. He’d often joke “All together, we probably have over a hundred feet of boat if you put them all in a line” and then quickly add, “Nobody ever accused me of being too smart.”

John always loved a varnish project on his collection of boats and he also took great pride in washing and maintaining his many cherished cars and motorcycles, one of his favorites being their 1954 Buick named ‘Bert’, which he lovingly referred to as ‘the family dog’. His daughter Clancy not only came home from the hospital in Bert when she was born but also learned to drive on it. He always reminded everyone, “If you take care of a car, it will last you 200,000-300,000 miles.” His dedication to car maintenance kept everyone on their toes, and they loved him for it. Motorcycle riding was another passion of John’s and he loved getting out onto the backroads of America. He took pride in the many thousands of miles he covered cross-country on his Harley Davidson Road King Classic. He was also an avid triathlete, continuing to exercise daily, often twice a day, until the very end. John believed in good health and dedicated his life to maintaining it.

In 2005, John was diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer, with only 600 cases in the world. He miraculously overcame it, no doubt due in part to his positive attitude and sheer determination. He was treated by the incredible doctors at M.D. Anderson in Houston, Texas, for whom we are forever grateful. John always made it a point to help anyone he knew who was diagnosed with cancer, ensuring they could get to Houston for treatment.  He loved helping his friends and always remarked that he wasn't a salesman, but rather a friend maker. Following his cancer diagnosis, John co-founded the Freedom Waters Foundation alongside Debra Frenkel in 2006. His dream of taking children battling life-threatening illnesses out on yachts became a reality. The foundation also includes adaptive sailing programs and outings for veterans.

John is survived by his daughter Clancy, son-in-law A.J., and two granddaughters, Claire (9) and Annabel (5), who brought him so much joy, as well as many lifelong friends who became like family.

As we celebrate the life of John Weller, we remember a man whose love for the sea translated into tangible progress and prosperity for the people and places he touched. His enduring legacy serves as a testament to the difference one dedicated individual can make. John's life was a voyage filled with adventure, discovery, and devotion to the waters he called home. He left a profound impact on the marine industry in Broward and Palm Beach Counties and beyond, leaving behind a legacy that resonates among those who knew him and the communities he served.

May his spirit forever sail the seas he loved, and may his memory continue to be a blessing to his family and a beacon of dedication and innovation for generations to come.