John Robert Penne
May 7, 1942 - December 29, 2024

On December 29, 2024, John Robert Penne joined the Angels and Saints in Heaven, cashing in his ERA (eternal retirement account). A devout Catholic, John loved Christ and His Blessed Mother Mary and honored the Holy Family's example as he and his beloved wife of 55 years, Marty raised two daughters, Niki (Penne) Tringas and Betsey (Penne) West in their faith. They welcomed the addition of two sons-in-law, Andy Tringas and John West along with four beautiful grandchildren: John Andrew Tringas, Kalina Tringas, Tiana Tringas and Whitney West (all of Orlando, FL).

John was born on May 7, 1942, to Raymond and Catherine Penne, in St. Paul, MN, where he grew up with his brothers and sister, Mike, Tom, Mary Jo and Kevin. Always a people person, voracious reader and a salesman from the start, John sold everything from seeds to magazines to newspapers along his route. He earned an associate's degree from the University of Minnesota and worked as a salesman for APECO Copiers, while he was in school. John served in the Navy during the Vietnam War, training at the Pensacola Naval Air Station and completing a tour of the Philippines before returning home to Minnesota.

Upon his return home, John worked as a salesman for American Greetings and met the love of his life, Marty, and they were married on July 11, 1969. Having an entrepreneurial spirit and a love for working with families, John and Marty opened Penny Realty in Minnesota in 1973. While there was no lack of real estate companies, they were the first to open a low fee brokerage, offering excellent service at discounted fees and saving buyers and sellers hundreds of thousands over the years.

In 1981, John and Marty moved with their girls to Orlando, FL where they operated a direct mail company for a short time. John edited and published a trade magazine called Mid Florida Business and People. Ultimately, the pull of real estate drew John back to the business and in 1985 they opened Penny Brokers, helping families buy and sell over 4000 homes in Central Florida for over 40 years. In 2022, the Secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation recognized John with a Proclamation acknowledging his 50 years of outstanding service as a Real Estate Broker.

A Dad to two girls, John was always ready for a trip to the mall and lunch out. And, although no one held a candle to Marty, he loved being a grandfather of four and made it his purpose to be a gentle beacon of faith and love for his grandkids, spending hours building model train layouts, attending tea parties and just spending time with each of them.

Quick witted and confident, John loved his family above all else and was happiest spending time together with them. He was active in his Church, praying the Rosary, working with the JMJ Center and supporting the work of his parish. Always up on the latest technology, world news and goings-on of his grandkids, John will be missed dearly by his family and all those who knew him. There is no doubt that he was greeted by our Lord with the words, "Well done good and faithful servant, you have been faithful over a few things, enter into the joy of your Lord."

A funeral mass will be held at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 526 N. Park Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789, on Saturday January 11th, 2024, with a Rosary at 11:15am followed by a funeral mass at Noon. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations in John's memory be made to St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church.