John F. Iannetta, 90, of Holmdel, New Jersey passed away peacefully on March 13, 2025 surrounded by his loving family.

John was born in Baranello, in the Campobasso province of Italy where he lived before immigrating to the United States at age 12. He moved to Hartford, Connecticut, where a librarian noticed his love of reading and encouraged him to apply to her alma mater, The Ohio State University. At Ohio State, John received a degree in sociology and met his future wife, Mary. The two wed shortly after graduation and were married for 68 years.

He served in the U.S. Army National Guard and the Army Reserves for six years after college, earning the rank of sergeant (E-5) as well as an expert badge for the M1 rifle.

John began his business career as a salesman for department store Lazarus Co. in Columbus, Ohio and went on to become a sales manager at another department store, Lamson’s in Toledo, Ohio. He and Mary later moved their family to New Jersey, where John would eventually rise to become the general manager of non-foods for the supermarket chain Pathmark.

John and Mary have lived in Holmdel for over 55 years, raising three children and spoiling their six grandchildren whenever possible. They spent most winters at their second home in Naples, Florida, where John served as a docent at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, sharing his love of animals and nature with school groups and tourists.

Whether in New Jersey or Florida, John and Mary were rarely apart. The two were best friends and loved to garden, bird watch and cheer on the Ohio State football team together. Both their homes were filled with John’s intricate wood carvings of duck decoys, Santa figurines and various other animals as well as their large collection of orchids and other house plants, many of which they drove back and forth between the two states each year.

John’s greatest joy and pride in life was his family. He loved nothing more than to gather with his family over a good bottle of wine and regale them with stories of his life in Italy and the U.S. To his grandchildren, who called him Poppy, he was the ultimate cheerleader, often telling them “You must be my grandchild!” when they told him about their accomplishments.

John is survived by his wife Mary Elizabeth Iannetta (nee Bokanyi); his three children Sheri Iannetta Cupo and husband Dave, John M. Iannetta and wife Sandy, Lynn Iannetta Baker and husband Scott; and his six grandchildren Jessica Leigh Iannetta, Dominic John Cupo and his fiancee Ella Rose Douglas, Michael John Iannetta, Devon James Cupo, Sarah Elizabeth Baker and Colin Joseph Baker. He will also be greatly missed by his granddogs Maddie and Kona, his great grandcat Stolas and his great granddog Solo.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Community Hope (https://www.communityhope-nj.org/) where his son John serves as board president; to Lunch Break (https://lunchbreak.org/) where his daughter Lynn is an active volunteer; or to St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center (https://www.sthuberts.org/) to honor his love of animals.

Relatives and friends are encouraged to attend a memorial visitation celebrating his life on Tuesday, March 18, 11:00 am until this time of the service at noon at the Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 South Holmdel Road, Holmdel.  Entombment to follow at Holmdel Mausoleum.