John C. Boinis passed away peacefully on August 18, 2026 in Boynton Beach, FL at the age of 85. John was born on April 11, 1941 and spent his formative childhood years in Washington, DC. John and his family then moved to Florida as John was entering high school. He attended and graduated from St. Petersburg High School.

John was an outstanding and highly recruited multi-sport athlete in high school and was recruited by Florida State to play football. After his freshman year, he decided to transfer to the University of Maryland where he continued to play football and earn his degree. After college John joined the Army and was eventually deployed to Vietnam where he experienced front-line combat action. John was then honorably discharged after reaching the rank of Captain.

Upon his return from overseas, John worked as a stock broker in Washington for several years before relocating to Florida to pursue a career in the restaurant business. John operated several restaurant enterprises in Florida before successfully opening the iconic Christopher’s nightclub in 1977. Christopher’s remained the epicenter of Ft. Lauderdale’s party scene for more than 30 years prior to its closing in the late 2000s. After retiring from the nightclub business John spent his time playing golf, watching sports, and fishing with his best friend Larry Calufetti (Moose) and his two nephews in Canada and Alaska. His summers were spent at his waterfront Flathead Lake home in rural Montana with his lab Champ. Later in life John moved to the Delray Dunes Golf and Country Club in Boynton Beach to continue his pursuit of golf and be closer to his two brothers who also lived there.

He is preceded in death by his oldest brother George (and wife Peggy) and leaves behind his two remaining brothers Ted Boinis (Marysia) of Boynton Beach, FL and Pete Boinis of Boca Raton, FL. John is also survived by four nephews and nieces, Susan Boinis (Brian Sprunck) of St. Paul, MN; George Boinis (Cindy) of Bethesda, MD; John G. Boinis of Wellington, FL; and Krysia Boinis of Taos, NM. John is also survived by 5 grand nephews and nieces, Christopher Boinis, Brooke Boinis, Clark Boinis, Georgia Boinis and John R. Boinis. John was known to be a fun-loving prankster, a loyal friend, and an American history buff. His friendship will be greatly missed by all those who were lucky enough to know him.

John's ashes will be interred at his family’s plot in the Washington, DC area in a private ceremony at a later date.

The family asks that any memorial contributions be made to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation in memory of John C. Boinis. Click here to make an online donation.