John L. Falcone

Native Staten Islander and proud Air Force veteran, 99 John L. Falcone, 99, passed away on Monday, January 24, 2022 at his home. Born and raised in the South Beach section of Staten Island, he graduated from Curtis High School. After enlisting in the U.S. Air Force, John served on the Ground Crew for the 7th Air Force, a prestigious, powerful and precise team that is "always ready to fight immediately." At the moment he was being deployed to begin Operation Iceberg which included the invasion of Okinawa, Japan, the mission was abruptly stopped as the Atomic bomb was dropped on April 1, 1945 ending the invasion and the potential for the loss of thousands of U.S. Military personnel. When John returned home from serving his beloved Country, he began his career with the Staten Island Advance as a Linotype machine operator, retiring in 1985. John was an avid NY Yankees fan and enjoyed road trips with his family to Florida, especially Daytona Beach and DisneyWorld. He also enjoyed traveling with his beloved late wife, Marion, to Atlantic City. When his children were young, John thrilled them with visits to the South Beach Rides and Arcade, especially on a Wednesday, when the Pepsi caps the kids collected were able to be traded for tickets, prizes and rides. "Dad loved his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren," said his children. " He was a gentle, giving and caring man. Dad was an inspiration to generations." Mr. John L. Falcone was the beloved husband of 73 years to the late Marion (nee Ariemma) who passed away in 2019; loving father of John Falcone, Theresa Cozzolino, MaryAnn Marchi and Kathleen Capriotti. He was the cherished grandfather of Michael, John, Jessica, Bliss, SallyAnn, Maria, Luigi and Anthony, as well as dearest great-grandfather of Logan, Evelyn, Lucas, Augie, Dorothy, Christian, Colby and another great-grandchild on the way. A. Azzara Funeral Home, 183 Sand Lane, Staten Island, NY 10305 has been honored with Mr. Falcone's funeral arrangements which include visiting on Friday from 4pm to 8pm. Funeral Mass will be on Saturday at 9:30am at Holy Rosary Church in South Beach. Interment follows at St. Peter's Cemetery. Face masks and social distancing rules apply at the funeral home, church and cemetery. Thank you! A. Azzara Funeral Home 183 Sand Lane Staten Island, NY 10305 (718) 727-1440