John Ziino

Entered God’s loving arms on Sunday, September 6, 2020. Age 88. Beloved husband of Patricia Ziino. Loving father of John P (Marie) Ziino, Kathleen (James) Kannenberg, Erica Ziino, and James (Kathleen) Ziino. Proud papa of Lacy Hoffmann, Mia (Robert) Parker, Ty Hoffmann, NiElle Hoffmann, Logan Kannenberg, Gideon Kannenberg, Lilianne Ziino, and Genevieve Ziino. Cherished great-grandpa of LiAna Schilling and Ripley Parker. Dear brother of Antonina/Ninnette [Nikki] Ziino and Marianna [Pally] Ziino Williams. Also loved by many other family and friends.

Preceded in death by his daughter Mary Danielle Ziino, brothers and sisters Anthony [Tony] (Emanuella) Ziino, Annamaria [Marie] (Elmer) Ziino Endres, Agatha [Babe] (Robert) Ziino Wolf, Joseph [Joe Joe] (Dorothy [Dottie]) Ziino, Salvatore [Ted] Ziino, Joyce Ziino Eyrise, and brothers-in-law John Williams and Duane (Anita) Moquin.

Born to parents Cono and Marianna Ziino in Wauwatosa, WI, John grew up in the Third Ward of Milwaukee, WI.  He would recall living in the bottom flat of the house at N. Jackson Street owned by his grandparents, Giuseppe and Agata Caravella. John attended Andrew Jackson Elementary School, Walker Jr. High School, and Boy’s Technical and Trade High School in Milwaukee Wisconsin. He later attended University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, University of Illinois, Antelope Valley Jr. College in Lancaster California, and UCLA.  In addition, he took correspondence courses from Columbia University while in the USAF.

John enlisted in the United States Air Force on March 10, 1952, with basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas. He was stationed with AC &W site near Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico until transferred to Pyong Tek, Korea during the Korean War.   Later he transferred to Chanute AFB, Illinois, and discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant on March 9, 1956. On June 6, 2015, John participated in the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight, where he flew with other Korean Veterans to see the memorials.  John was a strong patriotic citizen who always held his love of his country close to him.

John worked at AC Spark Plug, later known as AC Electronics and then Delco Electronics. He was a Project Engineer until December 1970. His career included working on the Mace and Thor Missile systems at Cape Canaveral, Vandenberg AFB, and Edwards Rocket Base as a telemetry expert.   Preceding this, John was in England in 1959 setting up missile bases for the RAF as part of Project Emily.  John was part of a launch crew exploding Hydrogen bombs in the atmosphere from Johnston Island as part of Projects Fishbowl and Dominic. (This is where his soon to be wife was able to get a call into him and set their wedding date.) John worked as a Project Engineer on the Apollo program in Milwaukee, MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Cape Kennedy as an instrumentation expert for all Apollo missions through Apollo XIII. John worked as part of the flight test crew for the MACE system testing at Strawberry Point, Maryland. Later he worked on the Main Battle Tank project. In December of 1971 Delco laid him off and aerospace programs were canceled. Due to the economy, jobs of his area were scarce so he started a business called Cal-Lab which was sold two years later. He then took a job in Quality Control with Johnson Controls in Milwaukee, which then transferred to Air Handling Equipment using existing building wiring as the media between controller and equipment. He retired as a Service Technician from Johnson Controls in February 1994.

John met Patricia [Pat], between assignments while working at Delco Electronics. They met at an impromptu Bridge game and Pat was his partner. They began dating and on May 18, 1963, they married. They had many exciting adventures together. They settled into the city of New Berlin, Wisconsin where they raised five children and became active citizens in the community.

In addition to the multiple volunteer organizations, John also graduated from the New Berlin Police Department Citizen’s Academy in the Spring of 2003. John was awarded Life Membership in the International Association of Lions Clubs on April 18, 2003.

In 2007, John was the first recipient of the New Berlin Chamber of Commerce Civic Award, which later became the New Berlin Chamber of Commerce John Ziino Civic Award. He received three citations from the State of Wisconsin, one from the City of New Berlin and one from the county of Waukesha. John spent over 49 years working with the city of New Berlin on community events and met many friends. This would stretch from the 4^th of July parades, Drum and Bugle competitions, Christmas parades to art festivals, snowshoe races, and beyond.

John spent over twenty years serving as the Chairman of Education at Holy Apostles Parish in New Berlin.  During this time, he would cook, while singing, for many because being in the kitchen was a hobby he enjoyed.  John and Pat both became active members in their church community as well, and until his passing, was a part of the VISTA group where they made strong friendships with many Holy Apostle families.

John joined Lions International in 1978 (both he and Pat opened their doors and hosted over 82 youth exchange students since then) and served two years as the Multiple District Chairman for the State of Wisconsin.  He was awarded the Top Ten Youth Exchange Chairman Award for 1994-1995, and again in 2003-2004. This award is given to only ten people in the world each year.   He also was awarded the highest award in Lionism, the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award. He was the recipient of two international President’s certificates of appreciation in the Birch-Sturm Fellowship. Up until 2019, he would be involved at the Wisconsin Youth Exchange Camp, with Covid-19 leaving the summer program 2020 without a camp.  In 2020, John received the Ray Hempel Fellowship Award in recognition and celebration of his extraordinary dedication, support, and service to others,

John met with friends and family asking for stories wherever he went. In the last fifty years, he spent a great deal of time piecing together the family genealogy.   He would ask for updates at funerals, weddings, or any other family gathering.   This Caravella Family History book was published just prior to his passing, thanks to the assistance of members from the Bondi, Caravella, Patti, Tontinella, Volpe, Ziino, Endres, Eyrise, and Wolf family.  In this book you can find many family stories shared, family history, and photos.  The back of the book captures his sense of humor as John would always inquire, “How are your impudicles”?

John loved his wife, family, and friends.  He was strong in faith and always willing to serve those around him.  He enjoyed playing softball, bridge, and volunteering at the theatre.  He loved a good story, loved to travel, and was always quick to retort with witty responses.

Visitation at the Krause Funeral Home, 12401 West National Avenue, New Berlin, Wisconsin on Monday, October 5, 2020, 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM. Vigil Service at 7:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Apostles Catholic Parish, 16000 West National Avenue, New Berlin, Wisconsin on Wednesday, October 7, 2020, at 9:30 AM. Inurnment at Holy Apostles Cemetery to follow for immediate family.

A special thanks to the care staff at CFAC8, Dr. Bylow and her team, and ProHealth Hospice team for their wonderful care of John

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family, mass, or charity of your choice would be appreciated.