WILLIAMSBURG — John Edward Vajda, 90, born March 16, 1931, in Hammond, Indiana, peacefully passed away Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at home.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Helen Vajda and Julius Vajda; siblings, Margaret Vajda, Julius Vajda, Helen Vajda and Rose Marie Vajda; and wife, Katherine Vajda.
John grew up the son of Hungarian immigrants as one of seven children in a small house in Capitol Heights, Maryland. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps and received the National Defense Service Medal. Then, he graduated first in his class from Mount Saint Mary’s and the seminary and received his Master’s Degree in Library Science at the University of Maryland. He met his first wife, Katherine, at the D.C. Public Library. They married in 1965 and had two daughters, Kathleen Marie and Karen Elizabeth.
He spent a long career at the Naval Historical Center at the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. After the death of his wife, Katherine, he retired to Williamsburg and embarked on a second career at the Law School Library at The College of William & Mary. He met and married his second wife, Tai, in 1995. They enjoyed living in historic Williamsburg with multiple beloved cats and visits from daughters and grandchildren.
John is survived by his beloved, wife, Tai; two children, Katy (Peter) Snow and Karen (Kevin) Riddle; four grandchildren, Molly Wharton, Legacee Wharton, Naomi Riddle and Helen Riddle; brother, Jimmy (Lynn) Vajda; sister, Gerri Lough; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
A wake will be held from 7 to 9 p.m., Thursday, April 22, at Nelsen Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, April 23, at Saint Bede Catholic Church.
Share online condolences with the family at Nelsen Funeral Home.
