In 1998, John's first wife passed away after a long battle with lung cancer leaving him to raise their two young sons alone. Nine years later, his memoir, The Greatest Gift was published and tells his riveting true story about amazing love, to the dead end of grief and a return to hope. This book eventually led John out of the corporate world, where he worked in various sales and management positions, and into his life's mission, caring for grieving people. Before starting Good Mourning Ministry John spent seven years at a non-profit grief support center in both volunteer and staff positions where he was a support group facilitator, workshop speaker and Director of Fund Development. John also served a term on the board of directors from 2008-2011. John is a Certified Grief Counselor, Servant-Leader/Co-Founder of Good Mourning Ministry and a published author of three books.