John J. DeBoy

John James DeBoy, beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away on June 22, 2026, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was 51 years old.

Born on December 5, 1974, John lived a life marked by extraordinary professional achievement and unwavering devotion to family and friends. John approached life with intelligence, compassion, and humor.

John was the devoted husband of Cynthia “Cindy” DeBoy (née Katafiasz) and the proud and loving father of Caitlin and Julia DeBoy. John adored his family and took great pride in their many academic and athletic accomplishments.

John is also survived by his parents, James and Margaret DeBoy; his brother, Mark DeBoy and his wife, Catharine; his sister, Kristen Deboy Caminiti and her husband, Matthew; his father- and mother-in-law, Ken and Rosie Katafiasz; his brothers-in-law, Luke Katafiasz and Fr. Rob Katafiasz; and his sister-in-law Rebecca Zuercher and her husband Spencer. John’s beloved nieces and nephews are Ryan, Zachary, James, Connor, Susanna, Zoey, Tessa, Gideon and Sirena.

John graduated from the University of Notre Dame before earning an MBA from the University of Chicago and a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center. Following law school, he clerked for the Honorable Peter J. Messitte of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland.

John became a partner at Covington & Burling, where he established himself as a leading product liability and mass tort defense litigator. John maintained an active pro bono practice, representing prisoners in parole proceedings and advocating for criminal defendants in capital and other serious cases.

Although John was an extraordinarily accomplished attorney, those who knew him best will remember him not for his professional accolades, but for his kindness, warmth, and remarkable sense of humor. He possessed a rare ability to make people feel welcome and valued. Whether through a perfectly timed joke, an unforgettable story, or his enthusiastic dancing, John brought joy wherever he went.

John's family extended far beyond those related to him by blood. He cherished a wide circle of lifelong friends and embraced many others as family, including his liver donor, Andrew Lyons.

Throughout his life, John demonstrated resilience, courage, and grace. Even during his illness, he remained devoted to his family and steadfast in his friendships. His example inspired those around him, and his legacy will continue through the many lives he touched.