John Tarantino - The July 2023 Ted Talk "Redemption Stories," Then Several Amazing New Missions

For decades John Tarantino primarily was known as a prominent litigation attorney and president of the law firm Adler Pollock & Sheehan P.C. For clients like ARCO, he won signature cases. 

Then in July 2023 John burst onto the global scene with new brand identities: Thought leader/Motivational Speaker/ CEO of IYLON Precision Oncology and Managing Trustee of the Papitto Opportunity Connection. How that came about is that he delivered his TedTalk “RedemptionStories.” 

The TedTalk meme is the transformational power of adversity. And, boy, did it catch fire. Currently it has 19 million views as John tells the story of how he and his wife Pat ennobled her fatal battle with cancer. He also plans to continue to practice law until, he instructed his colleagues, “they” tell him he is no longer “great,” just “good" in representing clients. 

John has been kind enough to provide the following exclusive interview.

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Jane: John, what made your marriage with Pat so special?

John: We were married for almost 45 years. Pat was an incredible person—always upbeat, supportive, caring and determined. She was a great teacher, not only in public and private schools, but in the Women’s Correctional Facility. Pat believed that if many of the women there could get their GEDs, they had a chance to succeed once they were released. She inspired and motivated me to be my best in all things. I was blessed to have Pat as my wife. She listened. She cared. She loved.

 

Jane: How did you and Pat come up with the oncology mission and what are you currently doing as CEO of IYLON Precision?

John: When Pat was in hospice we came together as a couple and decided that we would not allow her death to be a dividing line. She would pass to a better place, but the fight against pancreatic cancer would continue. She passed her battle sword to me, so I could continue the fight and engage the community to help. 

We donated the proceeds of her life insurance policies and the proceeds of our family home to cancer research. And then, after her passing, I founded the John and Pat Tarantino Charitable Foundation to support pancreatic cancer treatment and research. I became very knowledgeable about cancer treatment and was offered the opportunity by the great cancer researcher, Sendurai Mani, to serve as the CEO of his company, Iylon Precision Oncology, LLC. We are engaged in cutting edge work with oncologists and their patients to improve the lives of those suffering from various cancers. More than 30 oncologists around the world work with Iylon with many more signing on each month.

Jane: Tell us how you came to sell the family home to donate the proceeds to IYLON and are now living in a small apartment? That is big: philanthropy at the most personal level.

John: When Pat and I discussed what we could do, we knew that there were two major assets that we could immediately donate—her life insurance policy proceeds, which were substantial and our beautiful home. 

I knew that I would not continue to live in our home after Pat’s passing, our children are all successful, have their own families and live in different parts of the country, and after talking to them as well we decided that this would be a wonderful tribute to Pat and be part of her legacy. The money would do great things to help others.  I live in a small apartment now, but I have many photos, mementos and keepsakes that remind me daily of our wonderful life together. I know Pat is with me there. Always.

 

Jane: You exude a spiritual aura. Suppose someone comes to you and shares loss – of a loved one, a job, a dream. How could you touch and ease some of the pain?

John: Every person’s loss is different. None is alike. What I try to do is recognize and acknowledge that fact and offer suggestions of what has worked for me. 

I believe that there is a difference between moving on and moving forward. I will never move on from Pat. She will always be part of my life. But life also goes on, and we move forward in as positive a way as we can. Every day I try to do something good, something that I know would make Pat proud. I tell people who are grieving or who experience loss, that there is hope, there is redemption. And that if they believe, hope always finds a way. Always.

Jane: In February, you will celebrate your 69^th birthday. Everyone is amazed at your energy. What is its source?

John: God has blessed me with a strong and healthy body. I accept it as gift and I do everything I can to show my appreciation for that gift by eating healthy, managing stress, having a positive outlook and exercising as much as I can. 

I believe that God gives all of us talents and that we need to make good use of them, so that when we see God one day and He asks us, “what have done with the talents I gave you?” we will have a good answer. I know that I want to have a good answer because I want to be welcomed into Heaven. Pat’s waiting for me there.

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You can reach John Tarantino at jtarantino@apslaw.com 

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