John B. Gramignano, 88, Beloved
Husband, Father and Grandfather
John Baptiste Gramignano passed away in the arms of his son and daughter on Thursday, April 10, 2025. He was 88 years old. The family is deeply saddened by his sudden death.
John was born on November 10, 1936 in Park Place, Brooklyn, to immigrant parents, Nancy (Nunziata) and Joseph (Giuseppe). He went to Boys High as a teenager and enlisted in the U.S. Army on November 7, 1955. After basic training at Fort Dix, N.J., he was moved to Fort Belvoir, Va., to complete a course as an Engineering Parts Specialist and later was stationed overseas in Toul, France. John was honorably discharged on November 6, 1958. While enlisted, he received his GED and, later, used the GI Bill to get his Associate’s Degree from New York City Community College in Mechanical Technology. His time in the military was a high point for him, and he regaled his family throughout our lives with the stories from his Army days. He developed lifelong friends and regularly attended his Army reunions.
John married his wife, Florence A. (née Jasinski), on August 26, 1962 in Brooklyn and later moved to Lake Hopatcong, N.J. John used his degree to pursue a successful career as a design draftsman and worked at many corporations around New Jersey. Perhaps some of his most memorable jobs included an assignment to work on some parts for the lunar lander that scooped up rocks to be brought back to Earth, and his time at Mars, Inc., where our family enjoyed many a scrumptious candy bar.
He was a gentle, fun-loving soul who always had a corny joke to tell. He was a wonderful dad and always spent time helping with school projects and sports events. As a grandfather, he was involved and supportive, always coming to babysit while other children had to be ferried to Scouts or a sports event. He attended many of the latter and was always cheering our children on to be more successful. He attended several family trips — Walt Disney World was a favorite — and created lifelong memories with all of us. John lived with his daughter for the past five years and was a notable character around the neighborhood as he did his daily walks and fussed over pets and, of course, everyone’s babies.
John is survived and will be missed by his loving wife, Florence A., of almost 63 years; his daughter, Florence N., and her husband,Alexander Chermak, and their three children, Elena, Nicholas and Nina, and his son, John J., and his wife, Danielle, and their two children, Yvette and Joseph V. He is also survived by his sister, Efisia T. Brody, and her three children, Michael, Peter and Elizabeth, and their families.
A Celebration of Life will take place from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the home of his daughter, Florence, at 842 Winyah Avenue, Westfield, N.J., on Sunday, May 4, 2025. He will be interred at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery sometime over the summer. Donations in his name can be made to the Westfield Volunteer Rescue Squad (westfieldems.org) or planting a tree in his name (arborday.org). Arrangements are by Gray Funeral Directors of Westfield. Please go to www.grayfuneralhomes.com to offer condolences.
May 1, 2025
