1948 - 2025
John William Dattner, age 76, of Wilmington, Delaware passed away peacefully on March 8, 2025. Born in Brooklyn, New York he was a loyal and avid fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers. As a child John attended many Dodgers’ games at Ebbets Field with his dad.
John graduated from Bishop Loughin Memorial High School in 1965 and he loved and participated in water sports. He received his B.S. degree in political science from Queens College New York City University in 1969 and he obtained his Master’s degree in Public Administration in 1971. John began his military service in the National Guard in 1970. John graduated from St. John’s University School of Law and received his Juris Doctor degree in 1978. He was a licensed attorney and member of the New York and Connecticut State Bar. John was senior vice president with General Reinsurance in Connecticut for 28 years until his retirement in 2006. He was the head attorney for all General Reinsurance’s environmental cases. In his role as chief environmental lawyer, John led the way and also wrote highly praised books which set global precedents for environmental law.
After his retirement from General Reinsurance, John started his own company and was self-employed as President of Disputes Resolved LLC. He was also certified as an Arbitrator by ARIAS-U.S. in March 2006. After moving from Connecticut to Delaware, John also started and served as president of the Village of Brandywine Association for 7 years. John loved helping and serving others, and he was admired and loved by all who knew him.
In addition to Lorraine, his wife of 53 years, John is survived by his loving daughter, Adrienne Ferroni and her husband, Joseph John Ferroni Jr. (JJ) of West Chester, PA, and his adored and cherished granddaughters, Ava and Arianna Ferroni. Other family survivors include his sister-in-law, Marilyn Cardarelli of New York; his niece, Stefanie Milch of Texas and her family; his nephew, Robert Cardarelli of New York and his family; and his nephew, Adam Cardarelli of New York and his family. John loved every moment of his wonderful life especially time spent with his amazing family who called him P (Papa) John.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 21 at Church of the Holy Child (2500 Naamans Rd., Wilmington, DE 19810). Interment at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Cemetery will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saint Jude’s Children’s Foundation or the Alzheimer’s Foundation.
