Giovanni (John) Pellegrino

On Saturday, August 29, 2020, Giovanni (John) Pellegrino, loving husband and father of four children and two stepchildren, passed away at the age of 85.

John was born on November 29, 1934, in San Mango d’Aquino, in the province of Catanzaro, in the region of Calabria, Italy to Luigi Pellegrino and Rafaella Marianna Piraino. As a young immigrant in Baltimore, MD, he worked as a shoe repairman during the day while going to night school to learn English and to become an electronics repair technician. Through hard work and dedication, he became the owner of a successful electronics repair shop, allowing him to fulfill the American dream. He lived in Brazil for many years and returned to the United States in 1984 where he resided until the time of his death. On August 9, 1990, he married Caterina (Catherine) J. Saia.

John had a passion for life and all things Italian. An avid wine enthusiast, he made his own wine at home, turning winemaking a yearly fall tradition where family and friends participated. He also loved nature and living out in the countryside.  He was a true Renaissance man and knew how to do a bit of everything. He could build homes, dabbling in electricity, plumbing, and carpentry; he knew how to repair cars as wells as electronics. John loved discussing world history and could often be heard proudly saying that many advancements of the world were owed to the great Roman Empire. An avid music lover and a player of the accordion, John many times serenaded his wife, Catherine, with traditional Italian songs. It was not unusual for family and friends to seek him out for advice, for John had a way of listening and always making those around him feel special. He was known for his charisma, hard work, and his kind and compassionate spirit.

John was preceded in death by his father, Luigi, and his mother, Rafaella, along with six siblings, Concetta, Alfonzo, Giuseppina, Michelina, Margherita, and Maria Grazia, and Fortunatta Mastroianni, mother to his two daughters Gina and Linda. He is survived by his wife Catherine, his four daughters, Gina, Linda, Lisa, and Paula, his stepsons John David and Frank and their spouses Carolyn and Karen, his sister Maria Rosaria, fourteen grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild as well as cousins, nieces, and nephews and Marilia Duarte Scanlan, mother to his daughters Lisa and Paula.

An entombment funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 at the Meadowridge Memorial Park located at 7250 Washington Blvd, Elkridge, MD 21075 at 10:45 am. Arrangements by CVACH/ROSEDALE FUNERAL HOME. Due to COVID, attendees are asked to wear a mask and maintain social distancing. In lieu of flowers, the Pellegrino family asks that those who are able to make a donation to a charity of their choice in honor of Giovanni Pellegrino.