John R. Wameling

Mr. John R. Wameling, age 55, of Utica, passed away on Thursday, May 31, 2007, at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. Born in Utica on October 20, 1951, John was the son of Helen (Burns) Wameling and the late Joseph Wameling. Raised and educated locally, he attended St. Francis DeSales Elementary School and later graduated from Utica Free Academy in 1969. A U.S. Army veteran of 25 years, he proudly served his country in Vietnam. On February 19, 1985 he wed the former Theresa Feralo. They enjoyed a blessed union of 22 years. John retired in March from his 20 year career with the City of Utica Parks Department. Inherently patriotic and brave, as a young man he entered the United States Armed Forces after his graduation from high school and carried out his duty in the Army, where he received the National Defense Service Medal for honorable service, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. He valued his memberships in the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). In his spare time he loved to shop, and as an outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting large and small game. John lived his life as a dependable man, dedicated to his family. He was a parishioner of the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes. John is survived by his wife Theresa; his daughters, Nancy and Allen Dellerba, Brittany Wameling, and Maria Wameling, all of Utica; his son, who was his best friend and companion, John Peter Wameling of Utica; his mother, Helen Wameling; his grandchildren, Alyssa, and Nicholas Dellerba, and Julian Wameling-Styles; and his mother-in-law, Cleo Feralo. Also surviving are his brothers and sisters-in-law, Steve and Sue Wameling of Utica, Michael and Sherry Wameling of Rome, Joseph Wameling of Whitesboro, and Peter Wameling of Rome; his many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and in-laws, Francine Feralo, and Peter P. Feralo, Jr. John was blessed with many dear and cherished friends, too numerous to mention, at the Parks Department and his associates at the Utica Armory. He was predeceased by his brothers, Thomas Wameling , and David Wameling; his father-in-law, Peter Feralo; and his Uncle John DeVincinzi, who was one of his hunting buddies. The entire family wishes to thank the nurses and staff of Strong Memorial Hospital for their care and attention to John and his family. Visitation will be held Sunday (today) from 2:00 – 5:00 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. John’s funeral service will commence on Monday morning at 8:00 from the funeral home and at 9:00 at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes where his Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Military Honors. Interment will take place in St. Agnes Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

John R. Wameling

October 20, 1951 - May 31, 2007