John Falcone Sr.

John J. Falcone Sr. NORFOLK - John J. Falcone Sr., 81, of the 1000 block of Hugo St., passed away Sept. 29, 2009, in Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center. A native of Connecticut, he was the son of the late Samuel and Florence Falcone. He retired from the United States Navy after 24 years as an air traffic controller. He also retired as manager of Brith Shalom Center after 30 years. Prior to joining, John was in the Army Reserves helping with the war effort. At 17, John joined the Navy as a deep sea diver. When the Navy started using aircrafts, John volunteered to change his rate to be one of the Navy's first air traffic controllers. He spent his 21st birthday on the Berlin Airlift. His last shipboard assignment was aboard the USS Enterprise, the first nuclear aircraft carrier. After making an around the world cruise, the Enterprise and its crew were ordered by President Kennedy to the Bay of Pigs. He is survived by his wife, Sandra L. Falcone; eight daughters, four sons, two sisters, three brothers; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his daughter, Claudia Scott; a son, John J. Falcone Jr.; sisters, Louise Earl and Shirley Sorbero; and a brother, Samuel F. Falcone Jr. A funeral will be conducted Friday at 11 a.m. in St. John Lutheran Church with Pastor Keith Olivier officiating. The family will receive friends at Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Tidewater Drive Chapel, Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.