John Sanna

John Sanna
POCATELLO - The all-state third baseman has been called up to the bigs.
John Nicholas "Johnny" Sanna passed away peacefully Saturday afternoon at his home in Boise. He was 92. The son of Italian immigrants who moved to Pennsylvania from Sardinia, Johnny was born on July 6, 1919, in Johnstown, Pa. He was the fifth of eight children born to Joseph and Mary Sanna and the last surviving member of his family. His brothers and sisters were Sam, Frank, Tony, Elizabeth, Mario, Jeno and Josephine.
Johnny graduated from Johnstown High School, and subsequently worked for Bethlehem Steel Company. He was drafted into the Air Force in 1942, and was originally stationed at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi. He was reassigned to Pocatello Army Air Field later that year.
Johnny met Margaret Marchetti in December 1942, and the couple married at St. Anthony's Church in Pocatello on June 20, 1943.
Johnny worked in construction and as a plumber, and for 25 years was a mail carrier for the United States Post Office, walking all of his daily routes until retiring in 1976. Even decades later, it was common for Johnny to accurately recite the address of a Pocatello resident on one of his routes. Upon retirement, he worked for 10 years at Community Animal Hospital in Pocatello, where clients knew of his whereabouts at the clinic because of his continual whistling.
Johnny loved sports and was known for his sharp wit. While in the Air Force, he played baseball, basketball and boxed, often joking that his nickname in those days was, "Horizontal Sanna." He later played for and managed fast-pitch softball teams in Pocatello. Softball became his favorite sport, and he was regarded as one of the state's best players. With great braggadocio, he spoke of the All-State Medal he won in 1952 for his play at third base, a tale that became part of Sanna family lore.
Johnny also managed Little League baseball teams, and later in life was an avid bowler, frequenting such bowling houses as Pine Bowl and Tough Guy Lanes. Throughout his life in Pocatello, Johnny was a strong supporter of Idaho State University sports teams.
Johnny and Margaret's 68-year marriage produced three children, David Sanna (Dayna), Kathleen Sanna (James Bammert) and Christine Lark (Thomas). They have seven grandchildren, John and Bill Katsilometes; Denise Van Stone (Fritz) and Dedra Quinn (Doug); A.J. and Marcus Eaton; and Quincee Lark. They have five great-grandchildren and many wonderful nieces and nephews.
A memorial Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Anthony Chapel of the Holy Spirit Catholic Community, 524 N. Seventh Street, Pocatello, 83201. A graveside ceremony with a military color guard at Mountain View Cemetery, 1520 South Fifth Ave., Pocatello, 83201, follows the Mass. A memorial celebration is set for 1:30 p.m. at Colonial Funeral Home, 2005 South Fourth Avenue, Pocatello, 83201.
In lieu of flowers, well-wishers are encouraged to donate to the Idaho State University Alumni and Visitors Center, care of the ISU Foundation; or, to the Holy Spirit Catholic Building Fund.
The family wishes to express our sincere gratitude to Harrisons Hope Hospice and their caregivers for the tender loving care that they provided to Johnny and our family.
Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.Colonial-FuneralHome.com.