FECHINO, John Paul Sr. "Papa John," entered eternal rest on June 25, 2013 surrounded by his family. He was born 75 years ago on February 13, 1938 in Dover, N.J. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife of 55 years, Judith Gregson Fechino; and their five children and their spouses, Teresa and Michael Maxwell, Alice and Alex Czajkowski, John Fechino Jr. and Jim Journigan, all of Richmond, Va., Steven and Cathy Fechino of Nashville, Tenn. and Brian and Kristen Fechino of Congers, N.Y.; 11 grandchildren, Michael Maxwell, Danielle Justice, Lauren, Alex and Erik Czajkowski, Alison and Jack Fechino, Ryan and Holly Gentry, Rebecca and Nick Fechino; and two great- grandchildren, Maddox and Avery Caddell; daughter-in-law, Hilary Boyd; brothers-in-law, Robert, Christopher and Mark Gregson; sisters, Frances Stark and Phyllis Walsh; his brothers in spirit, Jack Lowe and George Kohler; and many nieces, nephews and friends; and his best four-legged friend, Buster. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Rose Fechino; his brother, Valentino Fechino; and his sisters, Ida Martone, Loretta McDowell and Louisa Fechino. John graduated in 1955 from Bayley-Ellard High School in New Jersey and attended Carnegie Tech. A former partner of Creamo Bowling Alley in New Jersey, he later had a successful career with Alsco Anaconda before he and his wife established the much loved Country Workshop and Bare Woods, a gift and home furnishings shop that they owned and operated in Richmond for over 20 years. John was an avid and talented photographer, whose primary subject was his ever-growing family. He was a gifted woodworker and furniture re-finisher, who loved the Green Bay Packers, a good cup of coffee, Reese's Cups and warm days. Later in life, John may have lost much of his hearing but never lost his ability to listen. He will be remembered as a loving and devoted husband and father; and a kind and hard-working man, who even in his final hours never lost his wonderful, dry sense of humor. His greatest achievement was his family. A Mass celebrating his life will be held Monday, July 1, at 10 a.m. at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church at 2700 Dolfield Dr. in Richmond, Va. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, in his name.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
