John Anthony DeCicco

A Tribute to John It is hard to believe that we are here today in this church. Again we gather, our hearts saddened, not to say good-bye, but to say "until we meet again" to my brother John. John was a quiet, very simple man. He was a take me as I am kind of guy. He really wouldn't want me up here fussing over him today, but I feel there are a few things that needed to be said. John was the oldest of us five. Being the first born to two people who tried for seven years to conceive, he was very much the apple of mom and dad's eye. All through the years he was of course the first to do everything in our family. The first one to fall in love, he met and married the love of his life for 31 years, his wife, Roxanne. Theirs was a truly beautiful marriage, a very strong marriage that withstood many adversities along the way. They had a special relationship and he was a loving devoted husband, her soul mate. Not only was he a devoted husband, but a good friend to many people. He was always there to lend a hand when someone needed help with anything. Be it building a deck, fixing a roof, mowing a lawn or fixing a crashed computer, he was there when you needed him. He was very knowledgeable, and it used to drive us all crazy because "He knew everything!" You could argue with him until the cows came home, he had an answer for everything! And speaking of cows"Farmer John", as he was lovingly called, was happiest doing the simple things in life like planting and maintaining a garden, a love he learned from our dad. He was also happiest in the woods, quietly waiting for that big buck to come by. Or while at the reservoir, fishing all day from dawn. He loved nature and shared many outings with our father, our brother Mike and later on his good friend Kenny. He took care of his neighbors, always doing for others and not expecting anything in return. He was a great brother, brother-in-law, uncle, friend and especially a devoted son. He was there for our dad when he got sick and made a promise that not many of us could keep. At the age of 45, in the prime of his life, John retired from his job to care full time for our mother after our dad's death. This truly speaks volumes of his character and the kind of man he was. A loving, gentle man who along with his wife Roxanne put their lives on hold to care for mom so she could remain at home until her death last June. He didn't get the chance to get his life back and wound up in a battle of his own with a monster called cancer. But, John did not despair, he never complained, he fought long and hard and never gave in, even until his last breath, he fought. I am proud to have had such a strong, truly wonderful man for a brother. We all take comfort knowing that his is now peacefully resting with Jesus, whom he loved in life, and especially knowing that he is again with our mother, father and brother Michael. I will miss you big brother. We will all miss you. He told me recently that he didn't have good luck. Well, we are the lucky ones to have had him in our lives. The Blessed Mother said to St. Bernadette at Lourdes, "I cannot promise you happiness in this life, only in the next". John will be very lucky in heaven indeed. In the words of our Heavenly Father, "well done my good and faithful servant", well done! Written and read by Lori Zinter ...................................................... John Anthony DeCicco of Guyton St., Town of Ulster died Friday, May 2, 2008 surrounded by his family at Benedictine Hospital after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 52. He was born in Kingston on March 27, 1956, a devoted son of the late John F. and Alma L. Schupp DeCicco. A Kingston High School graduate, John was previously employed at Iron Mountain and later at Philips Components, Saugerties. He retired in 2001 to care full-time for his mother, Alma, until her death in June 2007. An avid hunter and fisherman, he was a member of the North American Hunting Club. "Farmer John" enjoyed gardening, golfing and riding his motorcycle. On September 30, 1978 he married Roxanne K. VanWagenen, the true love of his life. Surviving in addition to his wife are one brother David DeCicco and his wife Jacqueline of Kingston; two sisters Maryann Rowan and her husband Mark of Saugerties and Lori Zinter and her husband Greg of Saratoga Springs; his nieces and nephews Emily and Elizabeth Rowan, Michael and Matthew DeCicco; step-niece Courtney DeGraw; Jon and Maria Zinter; Rachel and Haley DeCicco and Peyton and Alexandria Van Wagenen and his sister-in-law Kim DeCicco and brother-in-law Kevin Van Wagenen and his wife Tina. His brother, Michael DeCicco died September 2007. An infant sister, Joann, died previously. Reposing at the Simpson - Gaus Funeral Home, 411 Albany Ave. on Monday 2-4 and 7-9 PM. The funeral procession will form on Tuesday at 9:00 AM from the funeral home. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Catherine Laboure Church at 10:00 AM. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery.