John J. Paonessa, 88, of Niagara Falls, NY passed away on Sunday, February 23, 2014 at Niagara Hospice House in Lockport, NY. Born in Niagara Falls, NY he was the son of the late Salvatore and Mary Paonessa.

John was a lifelong resident of Niagara Falls, NY and in 1944 he joined the U.S. Navy. He saw action in both the European and Asiatic Theaters during World War II, spending the majority of the war on the heavy cruiser USS Tuscaloosa. Following an honorable discharge, he married his beautiful wife, Domenica "Mickey" (Renda) Paonessa on April 17, 1947 at St. Joseph Church in Niagara Falls, NY. In 1951 John began working at DuPont Chemical Co. in Niagara Falls retiring after thirty three years of service. Following his retirement, John and Mickey traveled extensively, enjoying Caribbean cruises and a trip to Europe so they could see that continent during peacetime. John and Mickey planned bus trips to St. Anne's Shrine in Quebec for twenty years, with many of the same people joining them each year. John also spent a great deal of time volunteering as a CareVan driver and greeter at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center and also at the Niagara Falls Festival of Lights. He was especially proud of volunteering at the Meals on Wheels for over twenty five years, delivering meals to the "older people" even into his eighties. For over thirty years, John also served as an usher at the former Sacred Heart Church in Niagara Falls. One of John's proudest moments was when he returned to school in 2003 and earned his high school diploma.

John's kindness and his smile will be sorely missed by all who knew him, including the nurses and aides at Niagara Hospice House. Those who cared for him with kindness and affection during the last five months of his life had a number of nicknames for him, including "Poppa John," "Johnny Angel" and "Prince John," as even during that most trying of times his disposition remained the same. John was known as the "kissing bandit" in his younger days, and maintained that reputation over the years, always, always saying "give me a kiss" as soon as a friend or family member walked in the door.

In addition to his wife of sixty six years, John is survived by three children Joan (Kenneth) Pawlukovich of Niagara Falls, NY; Michele (late Richard) Gentilucci of Lewiston, NY and Sam (Michelle) Paonessa of Maryland; ten grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by three sisters and two brothers Theresa Clements, David Paonessa, Catherine Paonessa, Joseph Paonessa and Christine Mauro.


Visitation will be on Wednesday from 3 – 7 p.m. at the M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY ROAD, NIAGARA FALLS, NY. Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, February 27th at 10 a.m. in Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Parish at St. Joseph Church, 1413 Pine Avenue, Niagara Falls, NY with Rev. Duane R. Klizek officiating. EVERYONE PLEASE ASSEMBLE AT CHURCH. Interment in St. Joseph Cemetery, Niagara Falls, NY. Memorial donations may be made to Niagara Hospice, Inc., 4675 Sunset Drive, Lockport, NY 14094 or to Meals on Wheels Foundation of WNY, PO Box 3396, Buffalo, NY 14240.