1939
2017
AMICARELLA, John Joseph
(Age 78)
On July 18, 2017 John was ready to "leave town" after courageously battling cancer for seven years. He was born March 11, 1939 and was the beloved first-born son to Jerry and Peggy Amicarella (Bombino). He was raised in the Minnehaha (Little Italy) area of Spokane, where he stayed and raised his own family just three blocks away from his childhood home. John's first friends were all of his wonderful cousins, expanding then to Cooper and Rogers schoolmates, then moving onto his fraternal buddy's at Burlington Northern Railroad where he worked until retirement as a hostler. He kept family and friendship ties alive by making his daily rounds in the neighborhood visiting his many aunts, uncles, cousins, kids, grandkids, and friends. John married Nora (O'Hara) in 1958. Their marriage lasted 40 years but their friendship continued sharing in love and respect for family, friends, and the holidays.
Johnny always kept busy and was quite talented with his many projects and interests. He loved gardening and cooking his favorite Italian foods. His real home was his shop where he was very skilled and could build or fix anything. He loved all things mechanical, especially cars. As a young man he raced cars, then owned a service station where he fixed cars with a "lifetime guarantee". He restored and proudly won prizes for his many antique cars. He also restored boats he used for fishing with friends and family. There was nothing better than his fishing trips when he cruised on Lake Roosevelt or Koocanusa where only his old crooner music was allowed. But his biggest interest was helping and hanging out with his kids and grandkids, offering his advice with the loving expression of "Now listen to me".
Johnny lived a full life but was not yet done when cancer came calling. He leaves behind a very large and sad group of people; his sister Patti Moore (Bill) and brother Bill Amicarella (Janet). John and Nora have three living children; son Jerry (Ginny) their children Peggy, Tia (Aaron) and grandchildren, Hannah and Maya; daughter Patti Murray (Norm) their children, Megan, Matthew, and granddaughter Gianna; son Robert with his children: John, Tori, and Jordan (Curtis), grandchildren: Aidrian, Parker, and Blakelyn. He also leaves behind an extensive list of true lifetime friends plus a large family tree of aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews, with whom there was always a mutual adoration.
John spent his last 18 years with his loving companion Arlene Caferro, enjoying together a trip to Italy, car shows, and fishing in their golden years.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 330 E. Boone, on Wednesday July 26th at 1:00 p.m. We will then all go to Holy Cross Cemetery, 7200 N. Wall St., where at 3:00pm he will be laid to rest with many relatives and his infant son Michael. Following the burial you are invited to help celebrate John's life at Mamma Mia's Restaurant.
Heartfelt thanks to the many wonderful staff and physicians at Cancer Care Northwest, Northwest Pain Care, and Horizon Hospice who did everything they could to make his journey as easy as possible. In honor of our father, donations may be made in his memory to CCNWF.org and Horizon Hospice. Arrangements have been entrusted to:
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Heaven gained a Saint in Johnny.
Charles Mauro
Friend
July 16, 2019
Condolences to John,s family. He was a sweet friendly happy man. He was a good friend to my father Charles Hillyard. He will be missed.
Chuck and Jenny Hillyard
Chuck & Jenny Hillyard
July 28, 2017
Dear Uncle John,
Thank you for my childhood memories and love you shown. The memory I have is you coming in the screen door with your railroad overalls and saying "hi kids". You would get something to eat, then come out to watch us swim and say hello to mom and Aunt Nora. Then off you would go back to work. I remember the stories dad would tell that made him laugh so hard, like the time you went fishing with dad and Bobbo and they warned you that there was a snake when you got out of the boat to relieve yourself. You ran so fast with pants barely up and jumped into the boat, mad that dad and Bobbo were laughing so hard. Always a fun story to share about you.
I know you are finally with your parents, brother and family who awaited your arrival. Tell my mother hello. You were very blessed to have Nora and your kids which gave you the extended family of angels to enjoy.
Be at peace now.
With love
Shari, Austin and Madeline
Shari Anton
July 24, 2017
To the Amicarella Family;
John was a good man who loved his family very very much. You knew this by the sparkle in his eyes when he would talk about the family. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Tom Carroll
July 24, 2017
One of my great memories was playing with Johnny in a golf tournament at Prairie Falls Golf Club! Rest in peace, Johnny. Tim Morton
July 24, 2017
Although I haven't seen Jonny in many many yerars I still remember his when I was a kid. Loved going to the station.
Rest in peace Johnny.
July 23, 2017
Sweet Johnny I'll always treasure my times with you and my dear cousin Arlene. I will miss you always. Linda Huntley (Olympia WA)
July 23, 2017
My deepest sympathies to the family.
I knew Joe from my days on the BNSF. He was a fun guy to be around. He will be missed.
Richard Perkins
July 23, 2017
RIP Johnny - When you look up the word "Class" in the dictionary you will find a photograph of Johnny Amicarella.They don't come any better than him. God Bless you Johnny and your wonderful family.
Chuck Mauro
July 22, 2017
So sad to see a such great guy like John pass, I will remember him for the rest of my life as will many people from the Minnehaha area.
Virgil Charest
July 22, 2017
He was one of my oldest,long time friends. One of my earliest memories was waking to Johnnies house on my way to Cooper school. Peggy would fix the best hot chocolate and toast. That's where I first learnedand developed the habit of "dunking". Still do that to this daybut nothing ever tastes or smells as good. From that beginning, what became a morning ritual, John and I would walk on to school together discussing the heavier topics of life that grade school boys talk about.
To my dear friendand one of the original ," ghosts of Mt St. Michaels"awe but that's another story.
patrick evans Fresno, Ca. but in those days 3014 E. Euclid
Patrick Evans
July 22, 2017
I be became friends with John at Rogers High School and working on the Railroad. I'm so sorry for everyone's loss. God Bless you all.
Robert Julius Ryan
July 22, 2017
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