John Solli

1922 - 2022

WWII veteran, retired NYPD, church sexton Beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and uncle, John Solli of Westerleigh died on March 3. Born near Tvedestrand, Norway, on May 28, 1922, John emigrated to Staten Island with his parents Kristin and Gunhilde Solli when he was a toddler. He attended Port Richmond High School before he volunteered to serve his country in World War II. Deployed to Europe with the US Army, he fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Following the war he married the former Mary Louise Choquet, whom he met when he was stationed near Evansville, Indiana for his basic training. When they returned to live on Staten Island, they bought the house in Westerleigh where they raised daughter Susan and son Eric. John became a New York City Police officer and served with distinction for 24 years. Upon his retirement, he worked as sexton at Our Saviour Lutheran Church, West Brighton. During that time he was much beloved by the special needs students and their teachers who were using the church as classroom space. He retired from that position in 1979. Mr. Solli was a member of Our Saviour Lutheran Church, where he served the congregation as a member of the church council, among other positions. He was also a member of the American Legion, the Masonic Lodge, and Nansen Lodge #410 of the Sons of Norway. John and Mary were active members of Nansen, performing in the folk dancing troupe for many years. An avid walker, John regularly completed four to five mile routes around the north shore of the Island for many years. He enjoyed watching his grandsons compete in sports and attended countless games. In 1972, along with his parents, wife, son, and daughter, he made a trip back to "the old country" to reacquaint himself with the many family members who live there. In 2013 he and Susan returned again to celebrate Syttende Mai there, as well as his 91st birthday. He always enjoyed hosting members of the family who came to visit their American cousins. Mr. Solli is survived by his sister Thelma Miller of Staten Island; his daughter, Susan Solli of Monticello, MN; his son, Eric [Elaine] Solli of Staten Island; four grandsons, Daniel Solli and Steven Solli of Staten Island, Michael [Alyssa] Solli of New Jersey, and Jon [Michelle] Hartell; and 3 great-grandchildren, Layla, Matthew and Jonathan, all of Minnesota; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by Mary, his beloved wife of 62 years; his brother and sister-in-law Martin and Josephine Solli; his brother-in-law Robert Miller; and his parents. Visitation will be at Harmon Funeral Home, 571 Forest Ave, on Tuesday, March 8th from 5-8 PM and on Wednesday, March 9th from 10 a.m.-12 noon. In lieu of flowers, consider memorials to Tunnel to Towers Foundation or the Patrolman's Benevolent Association Widows and Children Fund.