John J. Gonelli

WEST BOYLSTON-John J. Gonelli, 83, of 64 Franklin St., died Thursday., January 3rd at home surrounded by his family after an illness. His wife of 56 years, Mary E. (Grimes) Gonelli died November 21, 2006. He leaves four children, Dominic R. and his wife Maureen Gonelli of West Boylston, Paul J. and his wife Stephaine of Worcester, Sheila M. Burbank of Worcester and Deborah Bradley of Seattle, WA; twelve grandchildren and six great grandchildren whom he adored and was devoted to. He also leaves four sisters, Catherine Lawson of Worcester, Joanne Patterson of Springfield, Mary Simone of E. Longmeadow and Theresa Nolli of Shrewsbury and many nephews and nieces. Two sons, John Gonelli in 1981 and Michael Gonelli in 2002, a brother Anthony Gonelli and four sisters, Anna Bocomozo, Philomena Tambolleo, Antoinette Mangietordi and Lucy Nolli, predeceased him.

He was born in West Boylston son of Domenico and Mary T. (Frisiello) Gonelli and served in the US Navy for over twenty years. He was a veteran of World War II and retired as a Chief Petty Officer from the USS Yosemite in 1964 and continued serving in the Navy Reserves. John worked at West Boylston High School in the maintenance department for 22 years, retiring in 1989. He was a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, VFW Post%236907 in West Boylston and enjoyed playing bingo.

The funeral will be held on Monday, January 7 from FAY BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 1 West Boylston St., with a Mass at 10:00 AM in Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 111 Worcester Street. Burial will follow in Mt. Vernon Cemetery, West Boylston. Visiting hours are Sunday, January 6 from 3:00-6:00 PM in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Diabetes Assoc., PO Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312, or visit www.diabetes.org. For directions and online condolence book please visit www.faybrothers.com