Obituary of John Iaccino

John Iaccino Sr., affectionately known as Poppy Pigeon by his grandchildren, passed away on Saturday, February 10, 2024. He was 90 years old.

Born on April 5, 1933, in Manhattan (Harlem), New York, he was the son of the late Annunziata (Nancy) and Ferdinando (Ferdinand, Fred), Italian immigrants. John was cherished by his family, friends, and colleagues. He and his wife Maria had four children, ten grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

At age 17, with the consent of his mother, John enlisted in the United States Army, ultimately becoming a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division. The motto of The Division is, “All The Way!” Here, he fully embodied the values of the United States Army, and his service continued thereafter. He was a boxer, and a bodybuilder, winning the title Junior Mr. America at age fifteen. He was also a skilled painter, a talented singer, and a true pigeon enthusiast.

His wake will be held on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at M.A. Connell Funeral Home from 2:00 pm through 8:00 pm, located at 934 New York Avenue, Huntington Station, New York.

A service to honor John’s life will be held on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Elizabeth’s Church, located at 175 Wolf Hill Road, Melville, New York, United States. Following the service, John will be laid to rest at Calverton National Cemetery located at 210 Princeton Boulevard, Calverton (Wading River), New York, United States.

John deeply cared about his family. His legacy will forever live on.