Obituary of John Joseph Mongero

John Joseph Mongero, former resident of Somers New York, passed away at his Burlington, Massachusetts home Monday evening, March 4, 2019. He would have been 93 years old on March 10^th.  He spent his last year living with his daughter, Karen Potter and her husband Mark and family in Burlington.  There are so many attributes of John Mongero that we can only touch upon some.

John was a proud WWII Veteran, an Italian-American (first generation American), a loving father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend to so many people.  His hands showed years of hard work, his smile was always warm and kind and he had a heart that would never quit.  His love of family, food, Frank Sinatra and the big band era, will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.  We are grateful for the years of memories, love, laughter and storytelling of life and family that he shared with us all. He will be missed immensely by all who knew him!

John was born and raised in Yorktown Heights, New York.  He was one of eight children born to the late Frank (Carmine) Mongero and Theresa Mongero.  After high school John enlisted in the United States Navy (he headed to bootcamp on his 18^th birthday) serving the rank of Machinist Mate Second Class.  He was the recipient of the American Theater Medal, European Theatre Medal, Asiatic Pacific Medal-4 stars and the Victory Medal.

John was married to his lovely bride Harriet Rowley Mongero in 1951 and they shared 51 years of marriage together.  They lived in Somers, New York where they raised their family of 4 children. He was the longtime owner of Katonah Wine and Liquors in Katonah, NY.  He enjoyed sharing his love and knowledge of wines from around the world.  He was the co-founder and active member of the Yorktown Sportsman’s Club and was an avid outdoorsman enjoying hunting, fishing and trap-shooting and caring for his property, garden and fruit trees and his dog Brandy.

Upon retiring, John and Harriet moved to Sun City Center Florida where they enjoyed new friends and a warmer climate.  As a devoted husband, John cared for his wife, Harriet, who had been disabled due to illness for over 20 years until she passed away in 2003.

Later that year, John met Millie Edling and they spent almost 14 years together before John moved up to Burlington, MA for medical reasons to be near his children and Millie moved to California to care for her medical needs.  They shared wonderful memories together-traveling to Michigan, California, and twice to Italy where he was able to locate his family’s birth town and ancestry information in Padula, Italy.  He was a member of the Italian/American Club at Sun City and enjoyed numerous shows, activities, golf and friends while he lived there.

John was the loving father of Gary Mongero of North Andover, MA, Karen Potter and her husband Mark Potter of Burlington, MA, Linda Gundrum and her husband Todd of East Meadow, NY, and the late Thomas Mongero who passed away November 18, 2018.  He was the proud grandfather of Jonathan, Noelle, Ryan and Rachel Potter, Kathleen Mongero, Stephanie and her husband Austin Jones, Thomas Mongero Jr. (TJ), Matthew and Jennifer Gundrum, Joey Iverson and Nicole Mongero and the proud great-grandfather of Bohdi Briggs and Nikolai and Skyla McKay. 

He also was a loving brother and friend to many in his church family of the Boston Church of Christ who also served and loved him during his time in Burlington. 

In life he was a man of integrity and honesty, he had a strong work ethic and love of country.  He loved nature and outdoors but most of all he loved his family and his philosophy “la familia” will be forever in all our hearts.

A visitation will be held at the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington (Exit 34 off Rt 128/95 Woburn Side) on Sunday, March 10 from 1-3 pm.  Concluding with Funeral Services at 3 pm.  Burial with Military Honors will be held at St. Francis Cemetery in Mt. Kisco, NY on Saturday, March 30^th at 11 am.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in John’s name to the VNA Hospice Care (who took amazing care of John during his 2+ years in Hospice) at 100 Trade Center, Suite G-500, Woburn, MA  01801.