John Magnotta

John Michael Magnotta WATERFORD - John Michael Magnotta, Waterford, NY, 73, entered into internal life on Tuesday, February 21, 2017. He is now resting peacefully as he was reunited with his loving and devoted wife, the late Anna Rita (Silvestro) Magnotta. He was surrounded by his loving family and friends. John was born in Troy, NY to the late John “Sugarfoot” Magnotta and Louise “Colarrusso” Magnotta. He was preceded in death by his two sisters from Latham, NY, Marie Tozzi and Lois Magnotta. He is survived by his loving daughter, Jennifer Magnotta of Atlanta, Georgia, and his brother-in-law, Rocco Tozzi from Latham, NY as well as his nieces, nephews, cousins and childhood friends. At the time of his death, John recently retired from the Legislative Bill Drafting Commission in the NYS Government. Prior to this, he was the Associate Director for Administration at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. He was a graduate of Siena College ‘65 (Cum Laude) and completed graduate studies at the University of Albany. He graduated from LaSalle Institute in Troy, NY in ‘61 (Cadet 2nd LT.) receiving Silver and Gold Honors. John had a gregarious and infectious personality and made everyone whom he encountered in his life laugh and have a great time. He enjoyed life with his wife and daughter to the fullest. He was well traveled and highly educated. He was always the center of attention as well as being a great story teller. He would consider himself a food epicurean because there was not one kind of food he would not try. His life was not without difficulties and personal tragedy. In September 1951, he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome at the ripe age of 8 years old. He stayed in an iron lung in Albany Hospital for 6 months. However, the highlight of this was becoming a local celebrity by meeting William Boyd, the actor who portrayed Hopalong Cassidy. John was allowed to hold his gun and holster. This strength and perseverance set the path for John’s future when he was diagnosed in 2005 at the age of 62 with AML Leukemia which he fought with a vengeance and beat all odds. However, in 2016, he was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer and with the same attitude he had from his childhood, he stayed strong and continued to fight a courageous battle until the very end, all while telling stories and making those that loved him laugh. The funeral services for John will be held Monday, February 27, 2017 at 8:30 Am at The Bocketti Funeral home 336 Third St., Troy, NY and at 9:30 AM St. Anthony’s of Padua Church, Troy, NY where a mass of Christian burial will be celebrated. Calling hours will be held at the Funeral Home on Sunday, February 26, 2017 from 1-4. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to American Cancer Society, Stand Up To Cancer and the St. Peter’s Hospice Program. Entombment will be held at St. Mary’s Mausoleum Troy.