John L. Gallo

John L. (Uncle John) Gallo, 87, passed away November 12, 2017 after a short illness. He was at New Life Hospice Center of St. Joseph but was previously at the  home of his nephew Phil & Jan Gallo, where he had lived for the past year. 

John was born September 21, 1930 in Lorain and was a 1948B graduate of Lorain High School.  John was a devout Catholic and a life-long member of St. Peter Church in Lorain.  Before bedtime, he would say prayers for those in need of spiritual help and always had a rosary nearby.

He was preceded in death by his parents Filippo and Rose M. (Gentile) Gallo; his 7 brothers - Dominic, Frank, Rocco, Joseph (Bingo), Thomas, Anthony and Phillip; his 3 sisters Mary Miskow, Theresa Russo and Sarah DelBoccio. 

A bachelor his whole life, his 10 brothers and sisters gave him 28 nieces and nephews and countless numbers of “great” and “great-great” and “great-great-great” nieces and nephews. He loved them all and considered himself lucky to have such a large family.  He was known by Johnny, Uncle Johnny or UJ to them all and to their friends and acquaintances, sometimes causing others to humorously question why they referred to him as Uncle?

John worked at Moen (the former Stanadyne and Western Automatic) for 42 years, retiring in 1992. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was stationed in the Territory of Alaska (pre-statehood) to help secure the border from the Soviet Union. After retiring, John could be found bartending at the IAV-Post #1, where he had a loyal following of customers who enjoyed the food he would regularly provide, especially his wedding soup.

John enjoyed traveling and was lucky enough to have gone to Hawaii, Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Switzerland and his beloved Italy.  He was the only one of his siblings to have visited the Gallo homestead in Bovalino Marina in Calabria.  He especially liked Rome, Venice and Florence (he referred to as the City of Gold).  While attending his great nieces’ wedding in Cinque Terra, he became a part of the village of Vernazza within hours of arriving, immersing himself in the culture of the locals.

John wanted to thank his friends at the Lorain Elks club and the Croatian Club for always making him feel welcome. Thanks also to the Italian American Veterans Post #1 for being his last employer, it was a job that kept him learning and relevant, well into his 85th year.  Lastly, he could not say enough about the women of the IAV Post #1 Auxiliary, they were amazing friends to him over the many years. Special thanks to Viola Elek, he thought the world of his friendship with you. He was honored to have been chosen Italian Man of the Year in October. The Gallo Family thanks you all.

The family will receive friends at Reidy-Scanlan-Giovannazzo Funeral Home, 2150 Broadway, Lorain, (440) 244-1961 Wednesday November 15, 2017 from 3 to 7 P.M.  A prayer service will be held at the funeral home, Thursday, November 16, 2017 at 10:20 A.M.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, November 16 at St. Peter Parish, 3655 Oberlin Ave., Lorain. Father Craig M. Hovanec, Pastor, will officiate.  Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Lorain with military honors by the Amvets Post 32.