NORWICH – John T. Panaro, 90, formerly of Birdsall Street, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 13, 2007 at the New York State Veterans’ Home in Oxford.
John was born in Norwich on Feb. 21, 1917, the son of Jack and Rose (Caezza) Panaro. Following his schooling, he served with the United States Navy during both World War II and the Korean Conflict. He was a survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor and retired as a Chief Boatswain’s Mate after 20 years of service to his country.
On Jan. 2, 1947, in St. Bartholomew’s Church with Rev. Msgr. Guy Festa officiating, he married Jane M. (Casamento) Panaro. Jane passed away on Dec. 17, 2006.
John worked for the former Brigg’s Lumber Company for a short time before joining the workforce at Mid-York Press where he was a machinist. He retired in February of 1979. John designed and built the house that he and his family lived in and derived great joy working in his large vegetable garden. He was a member of St. Bartholomew’s Church, the Knights of Columbus, the VFW and the FRA (Federal Reserve of America).
John is survived by a daughter, Mary Jane Loucy and her husband, Patrick of Rouses Point; two grandsons, Ryan Loucy and his wife, Sae-lyn of Beekmantown, and Ross Loucy and his fiancée, Sarah Piskor, of Syracuse and a sister, Nancy Liberatore, of Sidney. Several nieces and nephews also survive. John was predeceased by a sister, Antoinette Casamento and two brothers, Vincent and Victor Panaro.
A Mass of Resurrection for John will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Bartholomew’s Church. Friends are invited to call at the Wilson Funeral Home on Sunday evening from 4 to 6 p.m. Burial will take place in the spring in St. Paul’s Cemetery.
Contributions in memory of John may be made to the Msgr. Festa Scholarship Fund, 8 Silver Street, Norwich, NY 13815.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the Wilson Funeral Home website at: www.wilsonfh.com.