John Francis Cichetti

1946 - 2023

It is with hardened hearts that we announce the passing of John Francis Cichetti on the evening of MInday, Oct. 23, 2023.

He was a peaceful, loving and free-spirited father, husband, brother, sister, son, friend (and even outlaw) to countless people across the United States.

He was born and raised in Hawthorne, N.Y. He attended Archbishop Stepinac High School with several notable classmates including two famous movie stars: Tommy Lee Jones and Jon Voight. Later, he went on to graduate from Iona College in New Rochelle, N.Y. As a "pretty fart smeller … uh, I mean, a pretty smart feller" and a skilled man, he worked numerous jobs ranging from being an English teacher in the late 1960s to later a master certified journeyman carpenter working on notable projects such as the Federal Reserve Bank in Atlanta and the Blue Ridge Dam in Blue Ridge.

Blue Ridge is also where he spent the majority of his life and where he fathered and helped raise three boys that he loved very deeply: Charles, Michael and Joseph.

In 1969, during the iconic Woodstock Music and Arts Festival, he gave up being a Catholic monk and joined thousands of others for "free music" in a celebration of music, unity and a spirit of rebellion against the status quo.

His presence at this historical event was emblematic of his free-spirited nature and his unyielding belief in the power of peace and love to every person without regard to their appearance, life situation, religion or any other trait. He lived in peace and love while making sure to have fun every single day.

As an English teacher with an extensive lexicon, it was important to him that everyone around him knew the difference between the words eager and anxious as many people commonly use the word anxious when they really mean they are eager.

Eager has a positive connotation synonymous with excitement whereas the word anxious has a much more negative connotation rooted in the word anxiety.

The only time he was anxious was when the police were around or he had to speak in front of a large group, whereas he was always eager for each and every day. He was a man who lived life to the fullest, and was an inspiration to all that had the privilege of knowing him.

He is preceded in death by parents, Charles and Mary Cichetti; brothers, Charles, Joseph and Michael whose namesakes were given to his three sons who survive him.

He is also survived by wife, Pam; and siblings (Mary, Bernadette, Cecilia, Theresa and Peter) who reside in upstate New York.

A celebration of life party will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, at his home in Epworth.

All that knew John are welcome, but please RSVP to his son Michael if you plan on attending.

A sincere thank you to all of the family, friends, nurses and doctors that have stood by and prayed for him during his hard-fought bout with an aggressive blood cancer. These prayers and love have helped him leave this world peacefully after a full and wonderful 77 years.

Rest in peace, John, as your spirit soars with the echoes of Woodstock's music and the warmth of your Italian heritage. You will be dearly missed, but your memory will forever inspire us to live each day eagerly and to the fullest.

Bernhardt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.