John (better known to loved ones as “Deed”) was born in Yonkers, NY on March 21, 1925 to Mary (nee Manick) and John Potanovic. He attended St. Joseph’s School and left Gorton High School at 16 years of age to join the Navy when Pearl Harbor was bombed December 7, 1941. While in the Navy, he volunteered for submarine service. Proudly served aboard the R-6 in the Atlantic and the USS Archerfish in the Pacific. Participated in seven war patrols and several major battles and landings. USS Archerfish was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for sinking the Japanese super carrier Shinano, the largest ship ever sunk by a submarine. He was also present aboard the sub when the peace treaty was signed aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay and remained in the Navy until USS Archerfish was decommissioned in 1946. John returned to Yonkers and worked as a tugboat engineer for the Maritime Commission until 1947. On July 7, 1947 he married his beloved wife, Beatrice (nee Harsany) and was appointed a police officer for the City of Yonkers in August 1947. He served in all precincts and divisions, and rose through the ranks to the position of Captain. In 1975 he retired and the family moved to Ft. Lauderdale, FL and he began a new career as an Internal Affairs Investigator with the Broward County School System. After 13 years he retired once more and moved to Raleigh, NC. Beatrice and John lived in Raleigh for 12 years. In 1999 they moved to Yorktown Heights, NY. Beatrice passed away in September 2009. John remained in Yorktown Heights until November 2020, when he moved to Wilmington, NC to be closer to his family. John was a member of US Submarine Veterans World War II, Life Member VFW Post 9697 (Davie, FL), Honorary Member Yonkers PBA and Captains Lieutenants Sergeants Association (Yonkers Police Department), Delegate Westchester Conservative Party, and a talented amateur painter since 2008. Devoted and loving father of six children: Teri (Jeanette) of Boca Raton, FL, Mary Ellen of Raleigh, NC, Joanne (Roger) Burns of Chapel Hill, NC, John Jr. (Heather) of Ft. Myers, FL, Nancy (Tom) Olesczuk of Wilmington, NC, and William (Kim) of Coral Springs, FL. Cherished grandchildren: Nancy Ellen, Lindsay (Gregg), Kate (Taylor), Brittany (Scott), Thomas John (Jess), Jessica (Jeremy), and Timothy John. Treasured great-granddaughters Kennedy and Emerson. Also survived by brother Frank and his sisters, Eleanor Mitchell and Mary Pellegrino; sisters-in-law Alice and Jean, and brother-in-law Dan Fego. Also many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly. Predeceased by his brothers Joseph, Edward and George, and his sister Ann Fego; sisters-in-law Harriett and Betty; and brothers-in-law Bob Mitchell and Vinny Pellegrino. John will be fondly remembered by everyone he met during his life. He was a role model to many. He “never met a stranger” and enjoyed talking with and learning the life stories of others. He had an infamous sense of humor and an amazing memory. Devoted to his family and his strong Catholic faith. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to the Donna Crandall Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Visiting hours will be at Whalen & Ball Funeral Home on Friday 2-8pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church on Saturday February 12th at 10am. Interment will follow at Oakland Cemetery.