Giovanni "John" Notarianni

Giovanni "John" Notarianni, 90, of the Tripp Park Section of Scranton died Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017, at home, with his loving wife, the former Sarah Epifano by his side. They would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in April.

Born in San Mango D'Aquino Provincia di Catanzaro, Italy, he was the son of the late Antonio and Maria Cicco Notarianni; educated in Italy, he immigrated to Ottawa, Canada, in 1952. In less than one year after his own migration, John was instrumental in bringing his sister and brothers from Italy to join him in Canada. In 1958, he came to the United States and settled in Scranton, starting a very successful drywall and plastering business that he operated until his retirement, which was well into his 80s. It is this very same drywall and plastering business that is still currently being run by his son, Tony, using the techniques his father taught him when Tony was just 9 years old. John had an incredible work ethic, if he promised a job would be done by a certain date he would make sure that it was, even if he had to work late into the night or weekends. In 2014, as a testament to his plastering work he and his son were featured on the DIY Network show "The Bronson Pinchot Project."

John was more than a "plaster man," he was a "plaster man with a beautiful voice, and accordion player." Many of John's clients soon came to know him affectionately as the "Singing Plaster Man," because whenever or wherever he was working, John enjoyed serenading himself and anyone within ear shot with classical Italian songs. In fact, John was such an accomplished singer, he sang at all four of his children's weddings and at numerous family and friends functions.

John was also an amazing gardener. He enjoyed experimenting with cross pollination of various seeds. John planted gardens full of numerous vegetables and fruits. He proudly provided family and neighbors with the bounty of his harvest. John also grew beautiful flowers that he infused into his garden, which was eventually featured in the Lifestyles section of The Scranton Times-Tribune in 2013.

He was a longtime member of St. Anthony of Padua Church, now Mary, Mother of God Parish, also a member of the Societa Sportiva Italiana, and his beloved San Mango D'Aquino Society, where he served as treasurer for many years.

Also surviving are his children, Anthony Notarianni and wife, Lisa, Moscow; Mary Jo Berta, Peckville; Lisa Pastore and husband, Anthony, Roaring Brook; Linda Pepsin and husband, Paul, Old Forge; grandchildren, Sara, Mia and Victoria Notarianni, Rae Bradley and husband, Justin; Jon Berta and wife, Maria; and Lea Berta, Camille and Anthony Pastore, Melaina, and Nella Pepsin; two great-grandchildren, Jackson and Vivian Bradley; a brother, Angelo and wife, Sandra, Waterdown, Ontario, Canada; two sisters, Eva Buffone and husband, Mario, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; and Rosina Ferlaino, San Mango D'Aquino, Italy; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by son-in-law, Ray Berta; brothers, Gesualdo, Giuseppe, Pasquale and Peppino; sisters, Marianna Ferrari and Lisa Notarianni.

The family would like to thank neighbors, Jeff and Meghan Kelly and Deborah Parker, and family members, Billy and Sara Curmaci and Jo and Tom Czerw, for being there in John and Sarah's time of need.

The funeral will be conducted on Saturday from the Solfanelli-Fiorillo Funeral Home Inc., 1030 N. Main Ave., with Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. in Mary, Mother of God Parish at Holy Rosary Church, 316 William St. Entombment will follow at Cathedral Cemetery Mausoleum. Family and friends may pay their respects Friday 4 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN, 38105.

Please visit the funeral home website for information or to leave an online condolence.