John Mario Brezza

John (Giovanni) Mario Brezza was born on Sept. 16, 1929, in Petricevi, Caisale di Cherso, Italy, where he was raised by his mother, Maria Brezza and his grandparents. John left Cherso in 1946 and lived in Trieste, Italy working with the U.S. Army. John was written a letter of recommendation on the U.S. Army base that allowed him to expeditiously join the U.S. Army in America and become a U.S. citizen due to his strength of character. He came to the United States on Nov. 7, 1951, where John proudly served as a paratrooper in the U.S. 11th Airborne Division during the Korean War. He became a naturalized American citizen on Nov. 11, 1954. John was honorably discharged in September 1955. John married the love of his life, Salvatrice Brezza on June 5, 1954. Together, John and Sally helped to build the foundation of a loving and beautiful family. They had three children and many beloved pets. This was the crowning achievement in John's life and he loved his family more than anything. John and Sally would spend many years camping with friends and family, building memories and lasting bonds. It was not an uncommon sight for John and Sally to stroll around in the evening talking and laughing together. John was an avid sports fan, enjoying all sports with a special affinity for baseball and bowling. He participated in multiple bowling leagues for many years where he made many friends. An extremely loyal Red Sox fan, John watched all of their games intently and had a wealth of knowledge on the topic. John was a fan of big family meals, especially those prepared by his wife Sally and afterwards would always enjoy sitting down to a game of poker with family. John was employed by Billings and Spencer for 10 years and later found employment at Sealtest foods for 33 years starting as a door-to-door milkman and ending his career as a Retail and Wholesale Route Salesman. John retired on June 30, 1993.

John was predeceased by his wife of 67 years, Salvatrice Brezza (Micciulla) and their daughter Carrie F. Brezza. John leaves behind a loving and devoted family, daughter Joanna MacWilliam (Brezza) of East Windsor and her husband, William, and his son, David Brezza of Granby, and his wife, Virginia. In addition to his children, many beloved nieces, nephews and their families. John also leaves behind some of his favorite people, his grandchildren, Joshua Sanders of Hebron, his wife, Melissa and great-grandson, Robert John; Jessica Hallett of East Windsor, her husband, David and his great-grandchildren, Ryan and Emily; and Jacob MacWilliam of Broad Brook and his wife, Jenna and his great-grandchildren, Lincoln John, Hazen, and Aella Salvatrice.

John is an impeccable example of what hard work, pride, dignity, respect and love can do in someone's life. John came from a tiny village on a mountain island in what is now Croatia and ended up in America with a loving family and planted the seeds for generations to grow. John's story is one that will be remembered and shared for generations to come. John is an inspiration and lived his life in a way that should be admired and emulated.

John and Sally have reunited so they can continue the conversation.

His family will receive friends on Friday, April 22, 2022, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the Samsel & Carmon Funeral Home, 419 Buckland Rd., South Windsor. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2022, 10 a.m., meeting directly at St. Catherine Church, 6 Windsorville Rd., Broad Brook. Those attending the Mass are kindly asked to wear masks. Burial will follow at St. Catherine Cemetery in Broad Brook with Military Honors.

For online condolences please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com