John William Backof of Newark, DE, age 79, entered into heaven on Thursday, November 18, 2021.  John was born on October 1, 1942 in Newark, DE to the late John J. Backof and Gladys (Sartin) Backof. Having been born in Newark, he attended local schools and graduated from Newark High School in 1960.

John will be remembered for his love of music and in his youth played guitar and sang in the band “Pilt Down Five”. He continued to write music, play keyboard or guitar and sing for the rest of his life, entertaining his biggest fans, his family. John also loved his cars, washing them every weekend to ensure he would look good driving to the Country Maid for his Italian sub or a trip to Lowes to buy tools he already owned. John cherished his adventures with Kathy including many trips to Disney World, a cruise to Bermuda, his first plane trip to California and most impressively their two cross country road trips, traveling over twelve thousand miles and visiting all 48 contiguous states. Most of all, John enjoyed spending time with his friends and family playing cards and board games or simply sitting quietly with a cup of coffee.
John is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Kathleen “Kathy” Sabrowskie Backof; 2 children: Amanda Backof and her wife, Chris Palmer, Jay Backof and his wife, Grace Backof and beloved dog, Ozzie; 2 grandchildren: Ethan Backof and Audrey Backof; sister, Esther Burris and her husband, Dick Burris; sisters-in-law:  Theresa Jackson and Kate Sabrowskie; brother-in-law, Jim Mullen and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of John’s life will be held on Monday, November 29, 2021 at 1:30 pm at R.T. Foard & Jones Funeral Home, 122 W. Main Street, Newark, DE 19711 where family and friends may start visiting at 12:30 pm (masks requested please). Burial will follow at Head of Christiana Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to “Ryan R. Wagner Scholarship Fund-DCF” and send in care of the funeral home.