Born in Poland on March 21, 1935, to Raymond and Juliana (Pisarski) Trotsky, John’s early years were marked by adversity. In 1943, at the young age of 8, he and his family were forcibly taken by the German military to toil on a sugar beet farm during World War II. The year 1945 brought liberation by the U.S. Army. John and his family suffered great uncertainty about their future while living in several Displaced Persons Camps in Germany. It was in 1949 that John, alongside his father, brother Adam, and sister Maria, embarked on a new chapter in North Judson, IN. His older sister Eva, and her husband, followed shortly after.

After completing his education at North Judson High School in 1955, John graduated in 1958 from South Bend Indiana College for Commerce with a diploma in Accounting and Administration.

In 1958, he married his beloved Ruth (Steinke) Trotsky, a union that would span 65 remarkable years. His journey then took him to the U.S. Army’s 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, KS, before setting sail to Munich, Germany.

Following an honorable discharge in 1960, John worked as an accountant at U.S. Van Lines in South Bend, IN. Yet it was his and his wife Ruth’s passion for the RV life that led him to co-found Juno Industries, Inc., the maker of Real-Lite Recreational Vehicles in Cassopolis, Ml. For decades, John and Ruth crisscrossed the country, combining business with pleasure and eventually visiting every state in the U.S.

The later years of John’s life were split between Northern Michigan and South Florida. Each year, John and Ruth would become snow birds leaving their summer home in Northern Michigan to winter in Southwest Florida, at an RV resort on Chokoloskee Island, FL. Here, they formed lasting friendships, hosted lively gatherings, and enjoyed daily happy hours with friends.

John’s love for the outdoors, boating, and fishing, either fresh or saltwater, defined his retirement years. He and Ruth went out boating on lakes and the Gulf as often as they could, when conditions allowed, to catch their share of fish. A skilled grill master, John delighted everyone with his famous Beer Can Chicken.

In John’s retirement years, he kept up the habits that helped him be successful in life and business. He paid attention to details. He was practical in his approach and made logical and analytical assessments when making decisions.

Throughout his lifetime, John actively participated in various organizations, starting with the International Boy Scouts in the Displaced Persons camps. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Suttons Bay, Ml, and Everglades Community Church in Everglades City, FL. Professionally, he served on the Board of Directors and held the position of President for two terms at ORA, Chokoloskee, Inc., the RV resort on Chokoloskee Island, FL. John is survived by his loving wife, Ruth (Steinke) Trotsky of Naples, FL; his sisters Maria Johnson of Jamestown, CA, and Eva Pierzakowski of La Porte, IN; his 7 nephews and 2 nieces, 7 grandnephews, 9 grandnieces, and their children. He is preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Juliana Trotsky, and his brother, Adam Trotsky.

John will be remembered as a man who enjoyed life, overcame adversity, and touched the lives of many with his friendship, loyalty, and love. He will be missed but not forgotten.