Submitted by Fran Olson Gustafson 1965 <fgustafson917@gmail.com> on 13/Apr/2018 184.103.146.161
John Nicholas Antonucci, a lifelong resident of Newburgh, NY, died at home surrounded by loving care on April 12, 2018. He was 93. He was the son of Frank and Anna (Proietti) Antonucci, born on March 14, 1925. John was known around Newburgh as the neighborhood mail carrier (retired from the US Post Office after 30 years), a basketball referee (NAABO) and baseball umpire (US Slo-Pitch Softball Assoc.) for local teams, and "Ranger John," as he greeted people from the guardhouse at Chadwick Lake Park. An avid sportsman, John was a four-letter athlete excelling in tennis, basketball, baseball, and track. He was Sr. class president at Newburgh Free Academy and received the Lions Club Award from his 1942 graduating class. A World War II Veteran, he served in the US Navy protecting the US supply base at the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific. He was a member of the American Legion. He was very grateful to attend the Honor Flight #5 to Washington, DC WW11 Memorial. He was among the first inducted into the Newburgh Fast Pitch Softball Hall of Fame. He was a life member of the YMCA. Upon retirement, he enjoyed playing tennis well into his 80s at Sportsplex Tennis club; meeting his buddies at the local McDonald's, their "unofficial" breakfast club; and faithfully attended Sacred Heart Church. John loved his hometown; his family was his pride and joy. "Famiglia Prima," he would say -- Family First. He is survived by his children, Frank Antonucci (VT); Jon-Mark Antonucci (WI); Stephanie DeLuca and her husband, Frank (Newburgh, NY); JoAnn Gonzales and her husband David (Columbus, OH); and Gina Antonucci (Newburgh, NY). His 20 grandchildren and their spouses, Melinda Antonucci Mathieu and her husband Casey; Frank Antonucci and his wife Tracy; Amanda Terzi and her husband Robert; Amber Ray and her husband Daniel; Vanessa Ann Antonucci , Jon Antonucci and his wife, Kayla; Krista Richardson and her husband James; Renee DeLuca; Julie Porter and her husband Joseph; Michael DeLuca and his fiancee, Olivia; Lee Gonzales and his wife Maryann; Maren Gonzales; Bonet Gonzales; Santina Gonzales; Danielle Siltz; Ashley Sanchez and her husband Mauro; Toni-Marie Siltz and her fiancee, Francis; Mercedes Antonucci and John-Thomas Antonucci. And 24 great grandchildren, with the number ever-growing. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Jackie Mongeli; James Greenwood; and Kim Raszcewski. John is predeceased by his wife, the love of his life, Dorothy (Greenwood) Antonucci; brothers Armand and Medy Antonucci; and grandchild Carlisa Gonzales. The family would like to thank Candy, Val, and Simone for their dedicated and compassionate care throughout his last year at home. We would also like to thank Hospice of Orange. John would like others to remember that he kept his promises, and that God keeps His promises. "If you say you're going to do something, do it. God has kept me; has given me strength every day. I feel it, I know it. He makes me feel so good." Memorial contributions in John's name may be made to Newburgh Slow Pitch Softball Hall of Fame, 401 Washington St. Newburgh, NY 12550 Family and Friends may call from 5-8 pm on Tuesday, April 17 at Brooks Funeral Home Gidney Ave, Newburgh. A Mass will be celebrated at 10 am on Wednesday at Sacred Heart Church, Newburgh, with burial following in Cedar Hill Cemetery.
John Nicholas Antonucci, a lifelong resident of Newburgh, NY, died at home surrounded by loving care on April 12, 2018. He was 93. He was the son of Frank and Anna (Proietti) Antonucci, born on March 14, 1925. John was known around Newburgh as the neighborhood mail carrier (retired from the US Post Office after 30 years), a basketball referee (NAABO) and baseball umpire (US Slo-Pitch Softball Assoc.) for local teams, and "Ranger John," as he greeted people from the guardhouse at Chadwick Lake Park. An avid sportsman, John was a four-letter athlete excelling in tennis, basketball, baseball, and track. He was Sr. class president at Newburgh Free Academy and received the Lions Club Award from his 1942 graduating class. A World War II Veteran, he served in the US Navy protecting the US supply base at the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific. He was a member of the American Legion. He was very grateful to attend the Honor Flight #5 to Washington, DC WW11 Memorial. He was among the first inducted into the Newburgh Fast Pitch Softball Hall of Fame. He was a life member of the YMCA. Upon retirement, he enjoyed playing tennis well into his 80s at Sportsplex Tennis club; meeting his buddies at the local McDonald's, their "unofficial" breakfast club; and faithfully attended Sacred Heart Church. John loved his hometown; his family was his pride and joy. "Famiglia Prima," he would say -- Family First. He is survived by his children, Frank Antonucci (VT); Jon-Mark Antonucci (WI); Stephanie DeLuca and her husband, Frank (Newburgh, NY); JoAnn Gonzales and her husband David (Columbus, OH); and Gina Antonucci (Newburgh, NY). His 20 grandchildren and their spouses, Melinda Antonucci Mathieu and her husband Casey; Frank Antonucci and his wife Tracy; Amanda Terzi and her husband Robert; Amber Ray and her husband Daniel; Vanessa Ann Antonucci , Jon Antonucci and his wife, Kayla; Krista Richardson and her husband James; Renee DeLuca; Julie Porter and her husband Joseph; Michael DeLuca and his fiancee, Olivia; Lee Gonzales and his wife Maryann; Maren Gonzales; Bonet Gonzales; Santina Gonzales; Danielle Siltz; Ashley Sanchez and her husband Mauro; Toni-Marie Siltz and her fiancee, Francis; Mercedes Antonucci and John-Thomas Antonucci. And 24 great grandchildren, with the number ever-growing. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Jackie Mongeli; James Greenwood; and Kim Raszcewski. John is predeceased by his wife, the love of his life, Dorothy (Greenwood) Antonucci; brothers Armand and Medy Antonucci; and grandchild Carlisa Gonzales. The family would like to thank Candy, Val, and Simone for their dedicated and compassionate care throughout his last year at home. We would also like to thank Hospice of Orange. John would like others to remember that he kept his promises, and that God keeps His promises. "If you say you're going to do something, do it. God has kept me; has given me strength every day. I feel it, I know it. He makes me feel so good." Memorial contributions in John's name may be made to Newburgh Slow Pitch Softball Hall of Fame, 401 Washington St. Newburgh, NY 12550 Family and Friends may call from 5-8 pm on Tuesday, April 17 at Brooks Funeral Home Gidney Ave, Newburgh. A Mass will be celebrated at 10 am on Wednesday at Sacred Heart Church, Newburgh, with burial following in Cedar Hill Cemetery.