John S. Scalici

1935 - 2024

John S. Scalici
January 13, 1935 - December 15, 2024
John S. Scalici, longtime resident of Milford, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on December 15, 2024 at the age of 89 surrounded by his loving family. John was born on January 13, 1935 in Brooklyn, NY and was the son of the late Serafino and Eleanor (Mattia) Scalici. John was the beloved husband of his wife Mary Scalici (Defranza) for 65 years. He is survived by his loving wife Mary, three daughters, Elda (Mark) Smith, Susan (Thomas) Margius, and Barbara (Vincent) Vollero, as well as four grandchildren, Julie Smith, Brian Smith, Andrew (Ann) Margius, Deanna Margius (Jason Adleberg), two great-grandchildren, Sloane Margius and Catherine Margius, and many beloved family members and friends. He was predeceased by his son, John Edward Scalici.
John attended the Fashion Institute of Technology on full scholarship. He graduated in 1954 and had a successful career working as Director of Engineering at Warnaco. John served in the military in the 3rd Armored Division in Germany from 1955-1957, a chapter of his life he treasured, serving his country proudly. After returning from the military, John met the love of his life, Mary. They married and raised their family in his beloved community of Milford, CT.
A committed member of his faith community, John was a lector at St. Mary's church for 33 years. In 1968, he served an integral leadership role in the formation of the St. Mary's Home School Association and the annual Ray Fitzpatrick Basketball Tournament.
John was a lifelong sports enthusiast. He played baseball while stationed in Germany, and also tried out for the New York Yankees. He made first cut. He did not make second cut, but was not discouraged. Later in life, at the suggestion of his wife, Mary, John discovered tennis. He then became a fixture in the tennis community. He founded the Milford Tennis Association and coached the Foran High School Ladies Tennis Team. He helped create the Junior Tennis Leagues in Milford and was a founding member of the USTA National Tennis League for Adults and Seniors. John was active as a tennis player, coach and professional tennis instructor, earning recognition from the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and the United States Professional Tennis Registry (USPTR). He was honored by the City of Milford when the Fowler Field Tennis Courts were named The John Scalici Tennis Courts.
In addition to his passion for sports, John continued serving his community by volunteering over 17 years at the Milford Literacy Center tutoring and helping immigrants navigate the challenges of language and life in a new country. He also loved music and resumed violin in his 60s, playing with various orchestras in Connecticut.
John's full life provided an excellent example of living with faith, integrity, motivation and determination.
Friends and family may gather on Sunday, December 22, 2024 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the CODY-WHITE FUNERAL HOME, 107 BROAD ST., MILFORD, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, December 23, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at Saint Mary Church (Precious Blood Parish), 70 Gulf Street, Milford (MEET DIRECTLY AT CHURCH). Interment will follow at Saint Mary Cemetery, Buckingham Ave., Milford.
The family requests those attending services to refrain from wearing perfume, cologne or scented lotions.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Literacy Volunteers at http://lvsct.org/. To leave online condolences, please visit our website at www.codywhitefuneralservice.com