John Viglione

John Viglione, 104 years old, died March 11, 2009, in the Hospice House of St. Luke's in Bethlehem. John was born June 22, 1904, in Bangor, PA. He was the son of the late Joseph and Concetta Turtzo Viglione. John was married to the former Marion DelGrosso on September 4, 1927, a loving union that lasted for 79 years. After Marion's death in 2006, John lived with his daughter, Katherine, and son-in-law, Sam Spagnola, in Bethlehem.

Until his passing, John enjoyed an active, vibrant life. He loved to follow sports and was very fond of baseball. He played first and third base for the Mountaineers and Foresters and continued playing baseball into his early 50's. For most of eleven decades he followed the Philadelphia Phillies and took great pleasure in seeing his beloved Phillies win the 2008 World Series.



John's hobbies included gardening and hunting. He was a natural crooner who loved music and often serenaded his family to their unending delight. He was a voracious reader who nurtured a youthful curiosity to learn all he could. He treasured his friends and neighbors and warmly touched all who knew him. John was deeply loved by his entire family, and he dearly loved them in return.

John worked on Jacquard looms as a weaver at Stern and Stern Company in the Easton area. During World War II, he was employed by the Bethlehem Steel Company. Since living in Bethlehem, John has been a member of Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church.

John is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Katherine and Sam Spagnola, of Bethlehem, and Lorraine and Anthony DeNadai, of Utica, New York; grandchildren, Lawrence Spagnola, of Hollywood Hills, California; John Spagnola and his wife, Kathleen, of Bryn Mawr, PA; Susan Pinkel of Camillus, N.Y., and David DeNadai, of Liverpool, N.Y.; great grandchildren, Nicole, Megan, and Kelly Spagnola, and William, Jennifer and Lauren Pinkel. He has many nieces and nephews. John was predeceased by sisters Rose Pitotti and Lucy Mugavero and brothers Anthony, Philip, Michael, Daniel, and Fred.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 14, 2009 from 9:30-10:30 AM at Connell Funeral Home, Inc. 245 E. Broad St. Bethlehem PA 18018. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church on Saturday, March 14, 2009 at 11 AM, followed by interment at New Catholic Cemetery, Roseto, PA.

Contributions may be made to Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church, 1861 Catasauqua Road, Bethlehem, PA 18018, or to the Hospice of VNA of St. Luke's, 1510 Valley Center Parkway Suite 200 Bethlehem PA 18017.