John Joseph Tischio

On Monday, July 21, 2025, John J. Tischio of Middlefield, CT, passed away peacefully at Middlesex Hospital after a brief, unexpected illness. He was born in Orange, NJ, on May 6, 1939, to the late Joseph and Lelia (Modugno) Tischio. He was predeceased by his stepmother Rose Tischio and his sister Michele Towne. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Elizabeth (Machnicki) Tischio of Middlefield, CT; his sister Linda and James Croker of Hackettstown, NJ, and nephews Eric and Laura Croker; Ryan and Lori Croker; and Matthew and Lindsay Croker and their children, Logan, Ellie, and Dylan; his nieces LeighAnn and Steven Tedesco of Verona, NJ, and their children, Olivia and Luca; Michele and James Kraley of Hackettstown, NJ, and their children, Joseph and Madison; and his brother-in-law William, Jr. and Carole Machnicki and nephew William III of Jewett City, CT; niece Lauren and Brandon Boscia and nephew Robert Machnicki in PA. John graduated from Barringer High School in Newark, NJ, in 1957, and received a B.A. from Seton Hall in 1961. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and became a Second Lieutenant who worked in Army Intelligence in New York City. After working for General Motors, he moved to CT to help his cousin "Big John" manage a manufacturing plant in Middletown. He then attended Trinity College to get his M.A. while he was a substitute teacher at Vinal Technical High School, where he met his future wife. They were married on October 25, 1975. John began his career as a commercial real estate broker at the Nicholas Saraceno Agency in Middletown. He was a member of the CT Association of Realtors. He received the prestigious designation as a CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member), becoming a member of a global society of commercial industrial realtors and related individuals. He went to work for the Beazley Company in New Haven and was part of the New Haven CID (Commercial Investment Division of Realtors). There he met Elizabeth Brochin, who became his partner until they both retired in 2020. Beazley Company had become a part of Berkshire Hathaway by then. John was an active member of the Middletown Exchange Club, serving as president in 1989. He also played in their golf league in Portland. He was the Democratic Representative on the Board of Assessment Appeals in Middlefield and was also on the Levi E. Coe Library Board. John was one of six males in the family named for his grandfather, John Martin Tischio. John had five godchildren: Victoria Tischio, LeighAnn Tedesco, Elise Forrest, Ryan Croker, and William Machnicki III. He had a good sense of humor and liked to tease close friends. When leaving to attend an event, he'd say, "Let's get this over with!" John learned to play double pinochle with his in-laws and also enjoyed playing bridge with friends. He played Trivial Pursuit with a group of Vinal Tech teachers and accompanied his wife on MILE bus and car trips. He especially enjoyed visiting friends and relatives in CT and NJ and his cousin in Boston. He celebrated holidays and family picnics with his close-knit family who meant the world to him. However, he preferred to be home. He would take his cup of coffee outside, where he'd sit quietly and read the paper, chat with neighbors, or just enjoy nature. He liked to putter around the house and liked listening to Frank Sinatra. He always lent a willing hand to anyone who needed it. Although he worried about everyone and everything, he'd tell his family to relax. He practiced the "Golden Rule" every day and was truly a good man, a mensch. He will live forever in the hearts of all those who knew and loved him "as time goes by." The family would like to thank the staff at Middlesex Hospital for their compassionate care. Donations can be made in John's memory to CT Foodshare, 2 Research Pkwy, Wallingford, CT 06492, or St. Vincent de Paul, 617 Main St. Middletown, CT 06457 since John always gave to the poorest among us. There are no calling hours. A private burial will be held at the State Veterans Cemetery at a later date. A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, August 20, at 10:30 am at St. Pius X Church, 310 Westfield St., Middletown. Doolittle Funeral Home in Middletown is in charge of arrangements. For online expressions of sympathy, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John Joseph Tischio, please visit our floral store.