John Gary Pasquinelli, Sr

 

John Gary Pasquinelli, Sr., most recently from Cary, NC, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at the age 73. 

John was born on May 10, 1947 to the late Etole and Mildred (Croom) Pasquinelli in Norfolk, VA. He spent his entire childhood in Kersey on Coal Hollow Road and graduated from St. Marys Area High School in 1965. 

John was the proud father of four children: Paula (John) Garczynski of Erie, PA; Melissa Pasquinelli (Sean Mitton) of Cary, NC; Amanda (Mike) Sockett of Mentor, OH; and John (Amelia) Pasquinelli, Jr. of Holly Springs, NC; as well as a loving grandfather to Evan and Owen Sockett and Tyler Mitton Pasquinelli, all of whom survive. Besides his children, John is also survived by a sister, Patricia Pasquinelli of Kersey; a brother, Brent Pasquinelli of State College; and several uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and his former wife, Sue (Wickett) Pasquinelli, with whom he shared his four children. 

John was a veteran of the Vietnam conflict, serving for two years with the Army at Fort Bliss, TX. After his time in the military, he moved to St. Marys where he worked for 20 years at Carbon City Products as a tool and die maker and manufacturing engineer. He, along with his former wife Sue, started the first grinding company in Elk County, J.& S. Grinding Inc. located in Ridgway, in 1987, which he owned and operated for many years before retiring. He volunteered in the community as a little league coach, and was Past Chairman of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and also a Past Grand Knight and a 4th degree knight of Council 567 of the Knights of Columbus. He was a 50 year life member of Post 103 American Legion in St. Marys, and also belonged to the CMF, Moose, PFL, and the VFW of Emporium. 

John will be lovingly remembered by his children and those who knew him as someone with an incredible sense of humor who could tell the best stories, and who enjoyed spending time with others and laughing at a good joke. He seemed to know someone wherever he went, or would make new connections — even his new NC community was already fond of his enthusiastic friendliness. He had a deep love of his country and was proud to have served it. He was passionate about American history, hunting, fishing, golfing, and rooting for his sports teams as a lifelong Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins fan. 

A Memorial Mass will be held at the St. Boniface Church in Kersey at a later date and time to be announced. 

Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Fisher House Foundation, 12300 Twinbrook Parkway, Suite 410, Rockville, MD 20852.