John Cornacchio, formerly of Duxbury, passed away on December 13, 2019 at the age of 96. Born in Brooklyn, NY, John graduated from Erasmus High School and obtained a degree from Pratt Institute of Art, Manhattan, NY. He went on to become an accomplished commercial artist and art director, designing greeting cards for varied companies, including Rust Craft of Dedham, working with Disney licensee designs and in more recent years creating original bird art for EPVA/PVA who still publish his work, plus he and his family often receive questions on them. John was also a fine artist working in watercolor, oil, acrylic, pastel and charcoal who was most inspired by the complex patterns in nature. In the 1960’s, he was a founder and Director of the Westwood Gallery, Westwood, MA, working with local and nationally known artists such as Otis and Margaret Philbrick, founders of the Boston aka New England Printmakers. He was active in many art associations throughout the Boston area, most recently the Scituate Arts Association where he participated in their portrait group, served as a Director of the SAA’s Front Street Gallery for over 10 years and as an SAA Board and Gallery member for 20 years. He was also active on the board of the Helen Bumpus Gallery in Duxbury.
For many years, while living in Westwood, he was an active member of the Islington Community Church, where he served as Moderator, Chairman of the Diaconate, a member of numerous committees and was a co-leader of the youth fellowship. He also worked closely with the architects during the Sanctuary rebuild and was responsible for the design of the Sanctuary area which featured three arches with a central suspended cross, as well as that of the pulpit, baptismal and altar.
John’s accomplishments were many and varied. He served in the Army during World War II, where he fought in Germany with the 237th Engineer Combat Battalion of the 182nd Infantry Division, and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal “for heroic achievement in connection with military operations” during the Battle of the Bulge.
Most of all, John was an exceptional husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. John is the son of the late Rocco Cornacchio of Italy and the late Rosemary Blasi Cornacchio. He was the devoted husband of the late Miriam Hess Cornacchio (1923 to 1979) and the proud father of Janet Cornacchio and Husband, Richard Hom, of Scituate, and Gina Leahy and Robert Barrow of Cohasset; and cherished Grandfather, fondly known as “Bumpa,” of Gregory Francis Hom and Wife, Karen O’Brien, of Connecticut; and John James Leahy, Alexandra RoseMiri Leahy, and Ryan Edward Leahy, all of Cohasset; and Great Grandfather of Tegan Amelia Hom and Keely Hom, daughters of Greg and Karen. John was also the loving husband of the late Marjorie Goldsmith Cornacchio, and step-father to Robert Goldsmith and the late Susan Heymsfeld and Husband Joel Heymsfeld; step-grandfather to Margaret Heymsfeld Johnson and Husband Christopher Johnson of NJ; and step great grandfather to Ellie Johnson. John was also the dedicated brother of the late Alfonso Cornacchio, twin brother of the late Francis John Cornacchio, and is survived by his two “kid brothers” Robert Cornacchio and Anthony Cornacchio.
The family is planning a celebration of John’s life at a later date.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Scituate Arts Association, P.O. Box 214, Scituate, MA 02066.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.5