John P. Masiello

John P. Masiello Orange - John Patrick Masiello, 84, passed away after a brief illness on November 27, 2011at the Quabbin Valley Healthcare in Athol.  Born on January 6, 1927, the son of Leonardo Masiello and Isabella (Vitti) Masiello of Prospect Street in Athol.        John entered the United States Navy on January 5, 1945, the day before his 18th birthday, and completed basic training at the Naval Station in Geneva, New York.  His tour of duty included Seabee (CB) training in Dansville, Rhode Island and Norfolk, Virginia before being stationed in Hawaii, Saipan, and Okinawa.  He was honorably discharged in San Francisco on December 19, 1945 with the rank of V-6.  With the war ended, John returned to Athol High School and graduated in June 1946.  After working a variety of construction jobs, he was employed as a machinist at the Union Twist Drill in 1948 and retired in 1983 after 35 years.      John attended services regularly at Our Lady Immaculate Church and was a member of the Athol VFW, and the Edward H. Phillips American Legion Post #102.  In addition, he participated in a variety of minstrel shows, played tennis, and enjoyed watching his favorite football team, the Green Bay Packers. John especially enjoyed visiting with his many friends in the area.      He leaves three sons, John, Stephen and David all of Worcester, MA, nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren.  He also leaves a sister, Josephine White of Eugene, OR, and two brothers, Anthony Masiello of Clearwater, FL and Leonard Masiello of Phoenix, MD and several nieces and nephews. John was predeceased by three sisters, Mary Masiello, Angelina Osborne and Anna Womack.      Services will be held Thursday, December 1, 2011 from Higgins-O’Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main Street, Athol , followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 A.M. at Our Lady Immaculate Church, 192 School St., Athol.  Burial will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery and there will be a calling hour from 9:30 to 10:30 A.M. at the funeral home      In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations be made in his name to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA  01701-9376.  For further information or to share a memory with the family go to: www.higginsoconnorfuneralhome.com. $(document).ready(function(){ });