John J. Crimi

John J. Crimi, 85, of West Palm Beach, FL, formerly of Hartford, loving husband of Marlene (Santuccio) Crimi for 62 years, passed away Saturday, (May 6, 2006) at the Hospice of Palm Beach County, FL. He was born October 9, 1920, in Bronx, NY and was the son of the late Luigi and Geneffa (Fazio) Crimi. He attended local schools in the Bronx and at the age of 22 enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was a decorated World War II U.S. Army veteran receiving the Bronze Star Medal as well as other medals for meritorious achievement in ground combat against the armed enemy in the European African Middle Eastern Theater of Operations. Formerly of Hartford, he owned and operated Johnny's Italian Market for over 20 years. He later worked for Heublein, retiring in 1984. John was a member of the Golden Lake Men's Club and the American Legion Post #0400, both in Florida also the 80th Division Veterans Association. He will be dearly missed by his loving family and many friends in Connecticut and Florida. Besides his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Linda Thompson and her husband Larry of Newington; two grandchildren, Kevin R. Valk and his fiancee, Jennifer Dzienis of Portland, OR and Stacey Chaloux and her husband Rob of East Hampton; and great grandson, Cody. John is also survived by his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Helen and Nick Ruggiero of West Palm Beach, FL and Lori and Tom Murphy of Venice, FL; as well as many loving nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Michael Crimi, sisters, Sarah Mercadante, Mildred Venere and Mary Fabucci. Funeral service will be Tuesday, May 16, at 10 a.m. from the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Lawrence O'Toole Church, Hartford. The burial will be in Mount St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield with Full Military Honors. Calling hours are Monday, May 15, from 4-7 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Palm Beach County, Lauer Unit, 5301 South Congress Avenue, Atlantis, FL 33462. For on line expressions of sympathy please visit: www.desopo.com