John J. Spagnola Jr. 1932-2024

John was born Feb. 15, 1932, in Youngstown, the son of John J. Sr. and Santina Spinucci Spagnola.

John worked many years at United Engineering and as an insurance agent with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company before retiring as a manager at Sears, Roebuck and Company.

He was an active and faithful member of St. Dominic Parish, where he served as an usher, greeter and volunteered his time at many church functions. He was a founding member of the Marchigiani Club on Albert Street and a member of the Knights of Columbus. John was also a member of the Lowellville Rod and Gun Club, where he served as a two-time president, former trustee and as the social committee chairman for many years. On July 22, 2023, the Lowellville Rod and Gun Club named its lake as “John’s Lake,” for his many contributions to the club over the years.

John was an active fisherman, hunter and baseball player, and belonged to many local area golf leagues. He enjoyed the family trips to Presque Isle, hunting trips to the mountains of Pennsylvania, walleye fishing at Lake Erie and his annual golf trips. He was inducted into the Greater Youngstown Old Timer’s Baseball Association and recognized by local and state politicians.

John proudly served our country with the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Hornet in San Diego, California, from 1951 to 1955, during the Korean War.

John’s wife, the former Phyllis M. Lewis, whom he married Oct. 22, 1955, at Immaculate Conception Church, passed away Sept. 30, 2021, and he missed her terribly.

John will be remembered lovingly by his four daughters, Cynthia (Mark) Long, Patricia Craft, Joanne (Ron) Fisher and Diane Spagnola; seven grandchildren, Melvin (Becky) McKee and John (Liz) McKee, whom he raised as his own and was a wonderful father figure to them, Jenna Craft, Nicoletta Spagnola, Joseph Fisher, Jayme (Chris) Green and Jason Ventresco; seven great-grandchildren, John and Thomas McKee, Evvi and Jase McKee, Elijah and Giovanni Fisher, and Wesley Green; two sisters-in-law, Shirley Lewis and Erla Lewis; and granddogs Harvey, Frank and Carl.

Besides his wife and parents, John was preceded in death by two sisters, Betty (Sam) Pizzoferrato and Connie Kessler.

Family and friends may call 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, July 15, 2024, at the Rossi Brothers and Lellio Funeral Home, 4442 South Ave. in Boardman. There will be a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at St. Dominic Church in Youngstown. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, where John’s dedicated service to his country will be further honored by the great men of VFW Post 9571 of Ellsworth.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested any monetary donations be made in John’s name to the Lowellville Rod and Gun Club, PO Box 1, Lowellville, OH 44436.

The family would like to offer their heartfelt thanks to the nurses and staff at St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital for the care of their father.

Family and friends may visit the Book of Memories at www.rossifunerals.com to view this tribute and send condolences to John’s family.

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