VECCHIARELLI
John Anthony Vecchiarelli, 80, of Denver, NC, passed peacefully from this life April 1, 2015 at Levine Dickson Hospice House in Huntersville. He was born on August 6, 1934 in Washington, DC to the late Mary Bartolomeo and Giavancamillo (Jack) Vecchiarelli. Mary passed away in 1953. Jack was remarried in 1959 to Anna Buttino who is also deceased.
John graduated from St. John’s College High School in 1952 and went on to attend the University of Maryland. During this time he worked various jobs, most notably his time working for the FBI. In 1955 he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served for 2 years performing military police duties in Germany. He also traveled to many other areas of Europe.
After returning home to Washington DC, John began his career in communications with AT&T where he met his wife, Maureen. They were married in 1959.
John worked for AT&T for over 30 years, beginning in Maryland and transferring to New Jersey where he and Maureen raised their family. He then went on to work for National Exchange Carriers Association for several years before retiring to Ocean Pines Maryland, and eventually moving to North Carolina.
John lived a full life, always putting others ahead of himself. He was a vibrant, energetic person who loved sports and travel. John was an avid golfer, skier and tennis player. He had many interests and hobbies including woodworking (even building a rocking horse and bunk beds for his grandchildren), golf club construction and repair (yes, the grandkids got those, too) and real estate. He loved the outdoors and the beach, learned to sail and enjoyed cross country camping trips. John was a devout Catholic who loved and lived his faith. He attended Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Denver, and was an active member of the Spirited Seniors Group.
John is survived by Maureen, his loving wife of 55 years, his brother Dick Vecchiarelli and his wife Joyce, daughter Marie Fedorko and husband Bill, sons John Vecchiarelli, Michael Vecchiarelli and his wife Sharon, Mark Vecchiarelli and his wife Jeannine, and was “Opa” to seven grandchildren – Justine, Mario Jace, Marcus, Emilia, Gianni, Dominic, and Amanda. He is also survived by many cousins with whom he and his family shared special occasions and visits.
Visitation will be held at James Funeral Home in Huntersville on Friday April 10, 2015 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. Memorial mass will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Hwy 16 in Denver onSaturday, April 11, 2015 at 11:00am. Please join the family for lunch following the service.
Memorials may be made to the Parkinson’s Association of the Carolinas (www.parkinsonassociation.org)
Arrangements are in the care of James Funeral Home, PO Box 3434, Huntersville, NC 28070. Online condolences can be made at www.jamesfuneralhomeLKN.com.
