John Arthur LaVecchia

Obituary

John Arthur LaVecchia was born in Hackensack, New Jersey, on July 16, 1947, to Angelo and Dolores (Burkhardt) LaVecchia and went to his eternal home April 29, 2024. He attended Sacred Heart School and Lyndhurst High School before enlisting in the United States Air Force. He was stationed in Torrejon Air Base in Madrid, Spain, attaining rank of Staff Sergeant. Upon his honorable discharge with Airman Honors, John worked as a supervisor in Leslie Company, a manufacturing company, in Lyndhurst and Parsippany. During this time, John acquired his Associate in Business Management degree from courses at the University of Maryland global campus and County College of Morris.

His career changed paths when he moved to Medford and worked with his father-in-law at Totten Chevrolet in Florence Township. There he served as general manager and sales director. When his father-in-law sold the dealership, John continued the same occupation as well as salesman at Northeast Auto and Springfield Hyundai, the latter from which he retired. John also served for ten years as a member of the Board of Directors at Roebling Savings and Loan. Upon retirement, he and his wife Ali of forty-five years relocated to Nokomis, Florida, where he enjoyed golf and social time with his new friends.

John was a devoted and loving father along with soccer and baseball coach for Medford Youth Athletic Association, even coaching his children on teams. He also served as the association’s commissioner for five years. His children and his team members dearly miss him and the life lessons he imparted to them, among them “Always try your best; work hard; and respect everyone.” An avid athlete, John juggled multiple evenings playing softball, basketball and tennis, frequently winning trophies and awards.

John was preceded in death by his father and mother and is survived by his wife Alice (Totten) LaVecchia, daughter Cassandra Conley and son-in-law Seth, son Kirk and daughter-in-law Melanie (Mochan) LaVecchia, and grandchildren Evelina, Fiona and Cameron. He also leaves behind a brother, James Paul of Bradenton, FL; godson and nephew Eric (Christal) of Ovieto, FL; and nephew Keith and niece Desiree of Brooklyn, NY.

A private memorial service will be held by the immediate family following cremation at Baldwin Brothers Funeral Home and Cremation Society in Venice and a memorial mass will be held for all interested at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice on May 15, 2024, at 11 o’clock. A Celebration of Life party will occur for the Vicenza community at Vicenza Clubhouse on Sunday, May 19, from 4 to 8PM, and a similar one in Cherry Hill, New Jersey (June, date TBD). In lieu of flowers, a donation to Tunnels to Towers Foundation or a local veteran’s organization in his name is greatly encouraged.