John Edward Latronico
May 27, 1953 - April 9, 2020
John Edward Latronico, age 66, of Newark, DE, passed away on Thursday, April 9, 2020.
John was born on May 27, 1953 to the late John and Eva (Larson) Latronico, both descendants of immigrants from Italy and Sweden. He was baptized in the Catholic faith and confirmed as a Lutheran. Raised in Boardman, Ohio, he became the first child to complete a college education, receiving a Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering and voted Engineer of the Year in1976, from the Rayen School of Engineering at Youngstown State University.
John’s talent as an engineer was evident through his lifetime contributions to chemical manufacturing processes, safety and quality. His career began as a field service engineer for Dow Chemical in 1976. In 1978, John embarked upon a 32-year career at Thiokol as an expert in rocket motor design. Starting as a process engineer, he was promoted to supervisor and then to manufacturing manager and technical lead for the vice president of operations. After Thiokol, he excelled in aviation manufacturing and chemical process management at Alcore, Fuji Imaging and 3M. He was a devoted team leader who loved encouraging people to develop their talents.
John was a wonderful father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He was incredibly trustworthy, hard-working and kind. John loved being a dad and grandfather, taking care of his family with patience and self-sacrifice. He was a financial whiz, working hard to save money and taking the responsibility for putting his three children through college and graduate school. John was Mr. Fix-It, taking on projects to make life better and brighter for everyone. His many friends could always count on him for a kind word and a helping hand. John met life’s challenges with honesty, integrity, perseverance and love.
In his own words, “My wife Margaret is by far the best organizer and alternative scenario planner of anyone I know. At times it became a little overwhelming but to her benefit she was mostly right (although we didn’t always let her know). Elizabeth was a bit messy up through college (PhD Engineering) but became the model of a mother and wife. I am very proud of Ellen (MS Occupational Therapy) who has overcome adversity in her career and personal life. She has helped numerous special needs children through her work at Christiana School District. My son John (BS Finance) fell on hard times after an auto accident but has worked hard to regain strength for a bright future. I hope that family and friends remember the good times (and my stubbornness of course).”
John is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Margaret (Plichta) Latronico; daughters, Beth (Greg) Osyk and Ellen Latronico; son, John Latronico; brother, Charles (Connie) Latronico; sisters, Elaine (the late Edward) Less and Susan (Daniel) Wrobleski; grandchildren, Alex and Nathan Osyk; in-laws, Gene Plichta, Kathy Plichta and James (Catherine) Plichta; and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Dr. Evan Lipson, Ms. Megan Schollenberger and Ms. Alice Pons at Johns Hopkins Medicine, Dr. Isabella Glitza, Dr. Rodabe Amaria, Dr. Hussein Tawbi and Mr. Tim Woody at MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston, Dr. Jamal Misleh and Ms. Jodie Delesio at Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, Delaware Hospice and Christiana Hospital.
Due to COVID-19, funeral services will be held privately and a memorial service will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Margaret of Scotland Parish, 2431 Frazer Road, Newark, DE 19702.
Thomas Johnson Sr
I will miss you John. We had some times working on the cars. I don’t know about tomorrow I just live from day to day, I don’t borrow from its sun sine for the skis may turn to gray. I know who hole tomorrow and I know who hole my hand. John I love you and will miss you. gone but not forgotten.
Charles and Leanna Latronico
Our hearts are saddened with the premature death of this wonderful man. Good Hearted, soft spoken and incredibly intelligent Man, was taken to soon. My Boys CJ and Brandon looked up to him tremendously. Our continued thoughts and prayers go out to the Family! We love you all.
Chanel Dennis
Dear Mrs. Latronico & Family,
I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Latronico’s passing. We have been neighbors for so long it’s hard to imagine “home” without Mr. Latronico next door. He is one of the most consistently kind and genuinely caring people I’ve met. Three generations of my family have known yours as neighbors and friends – through many ups and downs – which is a credit to Mr. Latronico’s character and the family he led. Please know that we are here for you all.
With love and prayers,
Chanel
Rick and Maureen Harris
We are so sad to hear this heartbreaking news. John was always so kind and thoughtful. A truly good and decent man. Our entire family is sending out love and prayers to all of you. We haven’t been in touch in recent years and didn’t know he was dealing with illness. Our heartfelt condolences. Margaret, Beth, Ellen, John- God bless you all. May he rest in peace.
Rick and Maureen Harris
Gary Loikith
John was a brilliant man . . . he was also a kind, loving, caring, and gentle man. He often put others before himself. He repaired many electronic devices for his neighbors including myself for free. When i was first stricken with cancer, he took me for rides in his Mustang convertible to lift my spirits. The drives through the countryside just after sunset were wonderful. John would try to teach me guitar — he was a gifted teacher, . . . but alas, my ability to learn guitar was limited. He never gave up on me though and kept encouraging me saying, “you’re getting good!” Well, like I say . . . he was a kind man. He never uttered a harsh word. He was a role model for us all. You are my best friend and buddy, John. I’ll wave up at you from time to time . . .
Cindy Shook
May you rest in peace John. You will be greatly missed by your loving family
Kathy Jo
Margaret and family. You have been in my prayers for some time now! I will miss my cousin John. We had so many good times growing up next door to each other. Jam sessions in the backyard with guitar and drum set. Writing lyrics set to his music. I’ll never forget when I drove you to Charleston to visit John. Having our first child a month apart. I have been blessed to have had John in my life and he will be greatly missed. My heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. Love to all!
Mollie Garbade
Family of John:
I was a co-worker of John’s for many years at Thiokol. He will always be remembered for the wonderful and precious person he was.
Always upbeat – always made you feel good with his kindness. What a pleasure it was to have had to opportunity to have worked with John for many years.
God Bless You – you have lost a special person.
Mollie Garbade
Jim Burns & Family
Our sincere condolences for the loss of your husband and father, John. I recall John from Ellen’s CYM Basketball days as a loving, supportive and caring Dad. It was apparent that he was not so interested in how many points Ellen scored as he was that she was participating and having the opportunity to enjoy the sport, the competition and her time with her friends. In other words, he was concerned about the things that were most important in making it the best experience for his daughter. That’s the mark of a good Dad and a good man. May he rest in peace.
Kathleen Metz
My prayers go out to the family and friends.
Jan Hazlett Garver
On behalf of John’s classmates from Boardman High School Class of 1971, I’d like to express our deepest sympathies to his family and friends. His memory will be honored on our Class Website and at our 50th Reunion in 2021. So sorry for your loss.
Jan Hazlett Garver
Meredith Bailey-Orr
Dear Latronico family,
What a wonderful tribute to a life well lived! May John’s memory be a blessing to you all.
I’m sending condolences from Ellen’s extended family at Maclary Elementary School.
We are thinking of you during this time of extreme sadness and loss,
Meredith Bailey-Orr
Allan Saline
Deepest sympathies to John’s family & close friends.
I knew John from high school in Boardman, very smart, very committed, great guy.
I’ll always have the wonderful memories of the summer of 72, or was it 73? Crazy times indeed.
We had a rock & roll band, we practiced out of a rental house close to Youngstown State.
As we were all out on summer break we enjoyed being together as a band & practiced daily.
John, or JoJo as we knew him, was out “manager”, plus occasionally sat in on an instrument from time to time.
Our genre was Grateful Dead, New Riders of the Purple Sage variety. Once we started a song, it became an entity unto itself & would last as long as the inspiration lasted with band members taking breaks & switching instruments.
We finally polished our act & JoJo booked us at the end of the pool season party at Applewood Country Club.
Incredible experience.
Our band was a group of science & math nerds, the members went on to various careers in engineering & science, some hold multiple US Patents, some designed state-of-the-art weaponry, our singer went to be a Professor at Ohio State, one of us became a Dentist. Hah! Unfortunately, our IQs outsized our musical talent.
My friend John, R.I.P.
Tim Shiery
John reached out to me when I received a letter from him, he saw some videos I did about having and dealing with melonoma, we spoke a few times and I really enjoyed answering some of his questions, as a 15 yr survivor my heart aches tonite for his family, I know personally how hard it is fighting cancer, from our conversations we had, I know John fought the good fight, I told him during our 1st talk to never give up, never ever give up, he told me he will never stop fighting. I’m thkful I got to have him as a long distance friend
Kathy Mahoney
I’m very sorry for your families loss of such a wonderful man. John will always be remembered by many of us.
Harry Argentino
Sorry to hear of your loss. John was a wonderful man. May God bless you all.
Guy Pizzoferrato
Very, very nice! John was a great guy and a good high school friend to have.
GuY