John C. LaMacchia

Waltham – Mr. John C. LaMacchia, of Waltham, died Monday, May 14, 2012 at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. He was 81.

John was born in Watertown on August 26, 1930, one of twelve children born to the late Carmelo and Agatha (Sacco) LaMacchia, both natives of Messina, Sicily. He was raised in Watertown and served with the United States Army Air Corps right after World War II and was with that branch when it officially became the United States Air Force. He continued to serve with the Air Force Reserve during the Korean War and was discharged in 1955. He was a self-learner and became an expert in World War II history and memorabilia.

Until his retirement he worked as a machinist, first at GTE in Waltham and later at Cryogenics in Waltham and in Mansfield. On September 28, 1952 he married Lois P. Harrington of Belmont and the couple moved to Waltham five years later and have been residents since.

In addition to his wife of almost 60 years, Lois, he leaves his children, Patricia A. Silverstein and her husband, Philip, of Waltham, Beth E. Squillacioti and her husband, Richard, of Bel Air, Maryland and Jill L. Liddell and her husband, Robert, of Enfield, Connecticut; his grandchildren, Andrea and Lee Squillacioti, Rachel and Lauren Silverstein and Jordan Liddell; his sisters, Lenora Venti of East Hartford, Connecticut and Anna Harrington of Waltham and many nieces and nephews.

John was also a brother of the late Dominica Caruso, Mary Donovan, Carmela, Anthony, Joseph, Salvatore, Francis and Carmelo LaMacchia, Jr. Another brother, also named Joseph, died in infancy.

Family and friends will honor and remember John's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home on Friday, May 18th from 3 to 7 p.m. and will conclude with his funeral service at 7 p.m. Burial will be private.

Memorial donations may be made to the Boston Vet Center, 665 Beacon Street, Suite 100, Boston, MA 02215.