John Rocco Stellabuto, 83, of Delancey, passed away on February 13, 2021 at home.
He was born on April 25, 1937, in Iselin, PA, the oldest son of the late Antonio and Margaret (Lorelli) Stellabotta.
He attended SS. Cosmas & Damian Roman Catholic Church.
John proudly served in the U.S. Navy for four year as a boatsman. He served on the destroyer, USS William C. Lawe. He was accommodated “Sailor of the Month” and was very proud of that.
On August 1, 1959, he married Shirley A. Rypczyk. They recently celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary.
He spent the majority of his career working for Jefferson Wholesale Grocery and retired as a manager/produce manager for the West End Comet. He continued working part-time for several years. He was known for his beautiful fruit baskets he made during the holidays, and you knew he was close by when you heard him whistling. He had a big personality, and could always cheer you up. He was known fondly as “Jumping Johnny” by many. He was a great carpenter, and was always working on a project, and did many remodeling projects for others.
He was a member of the Punxsutawney Fraternal Order of the Eagles for forty years, Punxsutawney American Legion Post #62 and the Walston Club.
After retiring, John and his wife spent winters in Arizona for 10 years. He enjoyed spending time with his daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren, who moved to AZ. If you knew him, he couldn’t sit still, so he got a part-time job working for a community college as a utility worker for the facilities department. He made a big impression, and was re-hired every year. He made many friends during his time there.
John was a great singer and was known for Karaoke wherever he went, he was one of the best Polka dancers around. He also loved to cook, and no function was complete without his kielbasa and sauerkraut. He loved being Grandpa and Poppy to all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers and Pirates fan. His summers were spent attending and watching his great grandchildren play baseball and soft ball. He also loved spending time with his pets, and said, “No matter what, they will always show you unconditional love.”
In addition to his wife, Shirley, he is survived by four children, Margie (George) Mesanko of Chandler, AZ, Michelle (Dennis) Brooks of Punxsutawney, Melisa (Randy) Brooks of Glen Campbell, and Michael (Lori) Stellabuto of Barberton, OH; 10 grandchildren, Autumn Mesanko, Brandon Mesanko and wife Elsa, Sommer Marshall and husband Greg, Dustin Brooks and wife Lyndsay, Denny Brooks and wife Katie, Amanda Farmery and husband Corey, Tyler Brooks and wife Abby, Colton Brooks, John Stellabuto and Vincent Stellabuto and 13 great grandchildren; sisters Linda Conser and Geraldine Troutman, sister-in-law Marie Stellabuto, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and seven siblings, Amelia Thompson, James Stellabuto, William Stellabuto, Caroline Ritchey, Richard Stellabuto, Eugene Stellabuto and Rita Heckman.
A private funeral service for family was held Sunday, February 14 at Shumaker funeral home. A celebration of his life for family and friends will be held at a later date.
Online condolences may be made at www.shumakerfh.com
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