John L Ianelli

Plattsburgh John L. Ianelli, 78, of New Hampshire Avenue, Plattsburgh, NY passed away on Saturday January 16, 2010 at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh. He was born in New York City on June 3, 1931 the son of Pasquino and Angelina (Bertorelli) Ianelli. John graduated in 1949 from Suffield Academy and soon after enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving his country from 1951 to 1955. While in the Air Force he met his wife Helen Wilcox and married her in May of 1952. In 1955, after being honorably discharged, John and Helen moved to Plattsburgh to raise their family and bought the Wilcox family oil business, which he expanded and merged with Warren Holt to form Wilcox and Holt. In 1974, John was convinced to run as a Republican for a two year alderman seat, he won and after two years vowed he would never run again. Years later John retired and travelled the country with Helen. When he returned, he was again asked to run on the Republican ticket, but this time for Mayor. He did, and went on to serve two terms and had many accomplishments including; the Crete Center's Halloween Party, the Apple Blossom Festival, Frosty Frolics Winter Carnival and the Mayor's Cup Race. After four years as Mayor, he worked with Nord Bitumi, a roofing manufacturer for well over a decade. John continues to run other business ventures including running the contract for seized vehicles from the U.S. Marshall Service and reopening the Former Shell Oil Terminal. John had a great love for antique cars. He bought and restored many over the years, but his favorite was a 1948 Dodge convertible that was the car he and Helen had when they were married. He repurchased that same car in 1976 for their 25th Anniversary. The car is now on display at the Champlain Valley Transportation Museum, where he was treasurer. John was always active in community organizations. He served as District Commissioner of the local Boy Scout chapter; Director on the CVPH Medical Board for 18 years; member of the CVPH Finance Committee; Director on the Champlain Valley Federal Savings and Loan Board; Director and Chairman of the Mountain Lakes Public Broadcasting Board; past President of the Plattsburgh Lions Club; Chairman of the United Way fund drive; Chairman of the Plattsburgh Housing Authority; Chairman of the Strand Theater building committee; Director on the Pine Harbor Board, to name a few. Together, he and Helen were recognized as Irish Persons of the Year in 1987 by the Chamber of Commerce. John was predeceased by his parents and a sister Mary Ianelli. He is survived by his wife and his pride and joy, his five children; Catherine Ianelli Johnston and her husband Wayne of Lake Placid, John Wilcox Ianelli of Lincolnville, ME, Joseph Lawrence Ianelli and his wife Martha Walsh of Richmond, VT, Joanne Ianelli Kelly and her husband Lee of Wausau, WI and James Nelson Ianelli and his wife Jeannie Finnegan of Seattle, WA, 12 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and a sister Irene Guzzo of Garrison, NY also survive him. A Memorial Service will be celebrated on Tuesday January 19, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church on Brinkerhoff Street in Plattsburgh. Donations in John's memory maybe made to the Champlain Valley Transportation Museum, 8 Museum Way, Plattsburgh, NY 12903 Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad St., Plattsburgh, NY 12901, 518-561-3980 Online condolences and memorial candles may be offered at www.brownfuneralhomeinc.com.