John Vanak was a quiet revolutionary.

The humble, simple man from his beloved Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania, about 145 km northwest of Philadelphia, was one of the four men who defied the National Basketball Association and, effectively, created modern refereeing in the NBA.

Vanak, a 30-year pro referee who officiated in multiple NBA Finals and All-Star Games, died on Nov. 26 at age 83. His passing was little known and much overlooked around even the basketball world, perhaps also reflective of the quiet life he lived and humble nature he preferred outside of basketball.