John A. Michelizzi

Passed away on November 1, 2025 at the age of 65. John was born and raised in Duluth and was a proud football player for the Cathedral Hilltoppers. He was a life-long Minnesota Viking fan. John worked in the Optometry field for over 40 years and was well known and well liked in his profession. He participated in mission trips fitting glasses in underserved countries. John sang with the Italian American Club. He was also a songwriter and an inventor. He was a competitive weightlifter in his younger years. In 1987 he ran and completed Grandma’s Marathon. He will be greatly missed by family and friends. 

John is preceded in death by his daughter, Toni; father, Frank; and brother-in-law, Pat McCarthy. Survived by wife, Diane; son, Matthew; mother, Gloria; siblings, Therese McCarthy, Annette (Gerry) Ouellette, Jim (Jeanie), Jerome (Jennifer), Mike (Heather), Laura Stroman; sister-in-law, Linda (Tom) Mayre; and many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends. The family would like to thank the Benedictine Living Community for the care they provided for John in the last year and a half. 

A Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 from 5 -7pm at the Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E. Second Street, Duluth, MN. The Visitation will continue Thursday, November 13 from 10am until the 11am Mass of Christian Burial at St. Benedicts Catholic Church, 1419 St Benedict St, Duluth, MN. Burial at Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home 218-727-3555.