G. John Callaio, a lifelong resident of Pittston, died on January 29, 2021 at Mountain View Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center, Scranton.
Born Gelsomino Callaio on October 30, 1927, to the late Anthony, Sr. and Mary Callaio, he was best known as Johnny to family and friends. He had been married to the former Patricia Lynch where they would have celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary on March 22, 2021.
Johnny served in the U.S. Army (1946-1948) stationed in Japan in where he survived a deadly vehicle transport accident.
Employed at the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center until his retirement in 1995, Johnny received a letter commendation when he single-handedly disarmed an angry, distraught veteran with a loaded revolver in 1990.
Johnny loved traveling with Pat to Europe,
Hawaii, Las Vegas, California, and Florida.
He enjoyed watching football, especially Penn State, and attended 10 Super Bowls starting with Super Bowl III. He was also an avid Yankee fan.
During his lifetime, Johnny enjoyed playing golf, hunting, fishing, and was fond of meeting classmates for Saturday breakfast for many years.
He took particular pride when he and his partner the late Albert Melone, Sr. were handball champions at the old Pittston YMCA in the 1960s.
In addition to his parents, Johnny is preceded in death by his brothers, Frank Callaio, Sr. (Valeria) and Anthony Callaio, Jr. (Nellie).
Johnny is survived by his wife Pat, son John Callaio (Mary Lou), grandchildren Laurel, John, Jr. and Maria Callaio, nephews, niece, great nephews, great nieces, and great-great nieces and a great-great nephew.
A walk-through visitation will be held Friday, February 5, 2021 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm followed by a funeral blessing service by Fr. Paul McDonnell, OSJ in Adonizio Funeral Home, LLC, 251 William Street, Pittston, while following CDC guidelines of wearing a face covering and maintaining social distancing.