John C. Mastro (1979 – 2026)
John C. Mastro, a beloved partner, father, son, and award-winning author, and visionary, passed away on April 23, 2026, in Loma Linda, California, following a courageous three-year battle with cancer. He was 47 years old.
Born on January 20, 1979, in Fresno, California, John spent his life proving that “luminous beings are we, not just this crude matter.” Despite having a vision impairment since his youth, John possessed a unique vision for the world. He was a proud graduate of Rancho Vista High School in Temecula and went on to pursue his passion for storytelling with tenacity. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Southern New Hampshire University and later achieved a Master of Fine Arts in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University in 2021.
John’s academic dedication bore fruit in his professional life as an author. He was honored with the Outstanding Creator award for his book Academy Bound, a story of young space recruits that mirrored his own belief in potential and exploration. His creativity also extended into the realms of fantasy, where he brought to life dragons and magical figures like the “Boat Master.” He was a valued editor and author at Cabbit Crossing Publishing, where he co-edited award-winning anthologies: Enchanted Tales & Twisted Lore, Dragons of a Different Tail, and Tales of Monstrosity. He wrote such imaginative and funny short stories as “Spirit of the Dragon” and “Magicland Mischief.” This creative light allowed him to see beauty and hope in places others might miss.
Beyond his own storytelling, John was a devoted collaborator who found great joy in the community of his fellow writers. He considered his peers dear friends and took immense pride in editing their work, offering his keen eye and encouragement to help their visions take flight.
Beyond the written word, John was a gifted musician. A true multi-instrumentalist, he expressed his soul through the strings of the violin and guitar, as well as the tenor saxophone. In the early 2000s, John was a familiar face at Rancho Christian Church in Temecula, where he shared his talents by playing guitar and serving in the audio booth during services.
A resident of Menifee, California, John faced his health challenges with the same stoicism and grace found in the heroes of his stories. Even after losing his leg to cancer, John remained a beacon of positivity. He never complained, choosing instead to focus his energy on those he loved, always asking friends and family how they were doing.
John is survived by his devoted partner, Jessica Bozarth of Menifee; his children, Tyler Burns (25), Kyle Burns (22), Angel Mastro (18), and Ashlyn Mastro (16); his mother, Karen Mastro, and stepfather, James Wilhoite, of Temecula; and his sister, Karissa Mastro of St. Charles, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his father, Gregory John Mastro, in 2017.
To John, the road goes ever on. He has now begun his greatest journey into the “Final Frontier,” leaving behind a legacy of kindness, resilience, and wonder. In his own spirit of hope, we remember the words of J.R.R. Tolkien: “The journey doesn’t end here. Death is just another path, one that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass… and then you see it.”
