John J. Sgroi's Obituary
John J. Sgroi, 88, of Liverpool, passed away at home on October 31, 2020 surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Syracuse, son of the late Frank and Josephine (Lazzaro) Sgroi. John was a graduate of North High School in the wonderful class of January 1950 and in 2018 was inducted into its “Hall of Fame”. He joined the U.S. Naval Reserves and attended seminaries for priesthood at St. Jerome’s College and Christ the King major seminary. Upon leaving clerical studies, he married Mary O’Neill of Watertown, his wife of 63 years. He is also survived by a son, Stephen (Jodie) of NC; a daughter, Karen (Mike Turberg) of KS; grandsons, Christian and Paul and granddaughter Courtney. He is predeceased by his brother James and four sisters, Mary Delia, Josephine Benson, Jennie Pritchard, and Ida Marlowe.
John was employed by the NYS Fire Insurance Rating Board, and became manager of the “Fire Re-rating” dept. He was then hired by the Glens Falls Ins. Co. as a field representative, then by the Dominick Falcone Ins. Agency, reaching the position of Executive Vice President and partner. John served on numerous agency-company advisory committees and in 1996 was selected at “Syracuse Insurance Day” annual meeting as “Insurance Person of the Year”. He was a member and officer of the “Blue Goose International”, an international insurance organization and a member of the “Syracuse Ex-Fieldmen Association”. John was, for many years, an active member of St. Andrew the Apostle Church, a former vibrant and active parish in the SE section of Syracuse. He was Principal, for 13 years, of their release-time high school program and served on the parish council. Along with others, John traveled to and helped support a sister parish in Nicaragua. He then joined the parish of St. Lucy’s, an even more spirited parish on the west side of Syracuse as an active member and Liturgist. He served as treasurer of the Syracuse chapter of the “Voice of the Faithful”. John volunteered for six years as a mentor at the Hillbrook Correctional Facility, where in 2001, he received a “Special Recognition” award from County Executive Nicholas Pirro.
A Funeral Mass in celebration of John’s life will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, November 6, 2020 at St. Lucy’s Parish Center, 432 Gifford St., Syracuse. Due to limited seating at church, those wishing to attend the funeral mass remotely may do so by using the link on John’s tribute page at tjpfuneralhome.com at 10 am on Friday. Burial will follow in Assumption Cemetery. Family and friends may call from 4:00 – 7:00 pm on Thursday, November 5, 2020 at THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME, 3401 Vickery Rd. (corner of Buckley Rd.) North Syracuse, NY.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Lucy’s Parish Center, 432 Gifford St., Syracuse, NY 13204.
What’s your fondest memory of John?
What’s a lesson you learned from John?
Share a story where John's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with John you’ll never forget.
How did John make you smile?
