John Anthony Colucci packed a lot into his 62 years. Born in Queens, New York, the second of Patricia and Anthony Colucci’s six children, “my John” was (in the humble but unanimous opinion of his siblings Mike, Mary Beth, Jean, Nancy and Tom) Patsy’s favorite. Upon graduating high school, he joined the Marines and ushered in a lifetime of selfless service to country, family, friends, clients and the many strangers to whose defense John came.

From 1976 to 1980, he served his country with distinction and honor as an active duty Marine. He remained in the Corps as a Reserve for an additional 18 years, attaining the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. In 1990, he again answered the call and returned to active duty during the Gulf War. In 1997, in recognition of his heroism in single-handedly foiling an armed robbery attempt in New York City, the Marine Corps awarded John its highest civilian award.

In 1993, John married the enduring love of his life, Sallie. Together, they built a life devoted to their children Jake, Annie and Grace, shared with close family and friends, and brimming with laughter, movies, travel, golf, and more golf.

John’s singular devotion to family and friends made his professional accomplishments all the more remarkable. After graduating Queens College and a brief stint at IBM, he entered the world of private aviation and climbed the proverbial corporate ladder from the bottom. Over the course of a career spanning thirty years, he served in Executive Vice President positions at two of the most prestigious private aviation companies, NetJets and Wheels Up. Much to Sallie and Grace’s delight, his career culminated in a two year assignment in London as Founding Partner & President Wheels Up Europe.

Principled, quick-witted, and armed with a command of arcane facts a Jeopardy champion could admire, John leapt to a good debate. He reveled in simple joys – a round of golf with good friends and a stogie, a movie and popcorn with Jake, Annie or Grace, holidays with an extended family that admired and adored him. He cared about people, especially the downtrodden, loved those closest to him deeply, delighted in his kids and adored his Sallie.

John is survived by his wife Sallie, his children Jake, Annie and Grace; his siblings Mike (Mary Anne) Colucci, Mary Beth Colucci, Jean (Jack) Kiley, Tom (Maura) Colucci and Nancy Bsales, numerous nephews and nieces, and a bevy of friends, golf buddies, and fellow Marines who will miss him deeply. He is predeceased by his parents Anthony and Patricia Sherlock Colucci.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church located at 575 Fowler Avenue in Pelham Manor, New York, on Monday, March 29, at 11:00 am. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John’s memory to https://hourchildren.kindful.com For more information or to leave a condolence, please visit www.pelhamfuneral.com

Semper Fi.

For those wishing to view John’s funeral celebration online please log onto https://my.gather.app/remember/john-colucci

Editor’s note: This obituary was provided by the Pelham Funeral Home.