John A. Amodio

John Anthony Amodio, born Giovanni Antonio Amodio, passed away peacefully in his home in Bonita Springs, FL on Sunday, August 8, 2021 at 100 years old, 26 days shy of his 101 ^st birthday. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 72 years, Emma Angeli Amodio of Bonita Springs, FL, his two daughters, Debra Amodio Allegretto of Bonita Springs, FL and Jayne Amodio and her partner Charles Reeder of Boca Raton, FL, two granddaughters and their husbands, three step-granddaughters and their husbands, four great-grandchildren, eight step-great-grandchildren and his many special nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Louis Amodio, sister Ann Webb, niece Gail Pennington, nephew John Peter Amodio and son-in-law Paul V. Allegretto.

He was born and raised in New Britain, CT on September 3, 1920 to Virginia Vincenza Papa Amodio and Frank Francesco Amodio, who immigrated from Sortino, Siracusa, Sicily. He attended Bentley College in Boston, MA (now known as Bentley University in Waltham, MA) and graduated in 1940 with a degree in Accounting and Finance. John served in World War II between 1943 and 1946 as a Staff Sergeant under General Patton’s 3 ^rd Army, 83 ^rd Infantry Division where he traveled to England, France and Germany. While he served in Europe, he received a Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal of Germany, as well as several theater campaign ribbons.

After the war, John worked at Colt Firearms in Hartford, CT for two years then began working for his father at Frank Amodio Moving & Storage, which was started by his father in 1919. He and his brother, Louis Amodio, quickly worked up the ranks and took over management from their father. Together they created Amodio Moving Inc. and Amodio Van & Storage. Over the years, their name became well-known throughout Southern New England, especially when the late Bob Steele of WTIC AM radio promoted the Amodio brand for over four decades: “Amodio - the White Gloves Movers”. John was a dedicated and motivated business owner, always bending over backwards to support his clients and employees in any way he could. He was known to his employees as “Father John”, as he was always there for them, 24/7, night & day. John was also known as the “mayor” of New Britain. He met friends everywhere he went, no matter where he was. John’s family, friends and business were the pinnacle of his life, particularly his employees, and never forgot them even in his final days. For those who knew him, they will certainly remember him by his distribution of Susan B. Anthony coins to friends, family and strangers, sharing his collection of jokes & the impressive “Five Centuries of Italian American History”, and delivery of cookies and snacks to his favorite doctors, bank personnel and post office workers. His favorite mottos included “Salute, Amore e Lavoro” (Health, Love and Work) and “Sempre Famiglia” (Always Family or Family First). John’s family also want to express their deep gratitude to the many caretakers he has had over the recent years.

Memorial services will be held at Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home on Saturday, September 25, 2021 at 411 South Main St, New Britain, CT from 11 AM to 12:30 PM.  Masks and social distancing are encouraged. John will be laid to rest at a later date at the Amodio Family Plot at St. Mary’s Cemetery in New Britain.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations on behalf of John be sent to Saint Jude’s Children’s Hospital.   Donations can be made by visiting this link http://giftfunds.stjude.org/john_a_amodio or by calling St. Jude directly 1-800-822-6344, Donor Services M-F 8A-10P EST