John Paul Lisi, Sr.'s Obituary
John Paul “Nino” Lisi, Sr., passed into eternal life with dignity and on his own terms on March 27, 2017 in his Liverpool home.
Known as John – and lovingly called “Ja” by Marietta, his adoring wife of 56 years – he was born in Taranto, Italy on Nov. 6, 1933, son of the late Michele and Maria Lisi. A mechanic by trade with a gift for fixing and building things, he enlisted in the Italian Army at age 16 and served three years. He left with an honorable discharge in 1952.
In 1959, he boarded the liner SS Cristoforo Colombo from Italy to New York City and joined his parents and other family members in Syracuse. In December, he met his wife, Marietta. They met again in April 1960, fell in love and married three months later.
A devoted husband and father who embraced his new country; he became an American citizen in 1962. He worked at International Harvester from 1960 through 1966. He left to take a job with Niagara Mohawk Power Corp. in 1966 and retired as a chief mechanic in 1994. He also volunteered with the Lyncourt Fire Dept. for 25 years.
Undaunted by any challenge and always eager to learn, he spent his retirement as a multi-skilled tradesman, working as an electrician, a builder and as a mechanic. “I tear things down and I build things up,” he would say with a smile.
He was predeceased by his brothers, Joseph, Gaetano, and Frank Lisi, and his sister, Antionetta Zingaro.
John is survived by his loving wife, Marietta (DeCherico) Lisi; five children, Michael (Meg) Lisi of Rotterdam, NY, Nicholas (Kristin) Lisi of Syracuse, John Paul (Robin) Lisi, Jr. of N. Syracuse, Joseph Lisi (Beau Amaya) of Astoria, NY, and Susan Lisi of Vero Beach, FL; five grandchildren, Chiara, Noah, Ian, Ty, and John Paul III; one brother, Alex (Filomena) Lisi of N. Syracuse; one sister, Annamaria (Giuseppe) Marturano of Italy; sisters-in-law, Sally, Joanna, and Gemma Lisi, all of Syracuse; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A Funeral Mass in celebration of John’s life will be held at 9:00 AM on Friday, March 31, 2017 at St. Daniel’s Church. Entombment will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery Mausoleum. Family and friends may call from 4:00 – 7:00 PM on Thursday, March 30, 2017 at the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME, 3401 Vickery Rd. (corner of Buckley Rd.) North Syracuse, NY.
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