John A. Mody, Jr.

The late John Mody was an outstanding athlete, stellar student, and a very successful
businessman, but according to his parents, his coaches and his friends, he was an even better
person. “John was an inspiration to others,” his mother and father said. “He was devoted to being
the absolute best at whatever he did.” Mody kept a recording of Jimmy Valvano’s “Never Give
Up” speech with him at all times. He used it to remind himself that real success comes from
getting up one more time than you get knocked down.

 

John Mody died as a result of complications arising from brain cancer at the age of 50 on
August 31, 2017. In nominating Mody, Hall of Fame RFA coach Tom Myslinski wrote, “From
the time he was able to hold a football or swing bat it was obvious that he was destined for
greatness. His family had an intense love of athletics and education and that love became John’s
life.”

 

At RFA, Mody was a member of the Section III championship football team. He was
selected as a first-team league all-star as a linebacker. In 1985, Mody was honored by being
selected for the annual league East-West game. As a junior, he was awarded the Coach’s Award
and as a senior, he was a two-way starting linebacker and offensive lineman.

 

As a Black Knight baseball player, John was also selected as a first-team all-star. He hit
.484 for RFA and .420 for the Smith Post American Legion team. John’s .484 was second to the
.490 registered by future major leaguer and Rome Sports Hall of Famer, Archi Cianfrocco.

Mody was a three-year starter for the Colgate Raiders as both an inside and middle
linebacker. For his career, he was credited with 179 solo tackles. As a senior, he registered five
pass deflections, three sacks, and caused three fumbles. His teammates awarded him game balls
for his dominating defensive effort against Princeton and Bucknell.

Mody lived in Syracuse at the time of his passing with his wife Sarah and their then
three-year-old daughter Marisa. John was a very successful real estate agent, owned an appraisal
company, and was a partner in Resurgent Properties.

John A. Mody, Jr.: A total and complete Hall of Famer.