John A. Piantedosi

Waltham – Mr. John A. Piantedosi, of Waltham, died Saturday, January 12, 2013 at his home. He was 79.

John was born in Watertown on August 20, 1933, a son of Italian immigrants Angelo and Pasqualina (Izzo) Piantedosi. He was a graduate of Watertown High School and married Nancy M. Gibb on August 31, 1977. He had been a longtime Waltham resident.

John was born with music in his soul. Known to many as "John Penny", he owned and operated John Penny Enterprises Inc., and was a booking agent for various talents in the area. He played the guitar with his well-known band, The John Penny Band (www.johnpennyband.net) which is a five piece Country & Oldies band with lead guitar, keyboards, rhythm guitar, bass and drums. All sing lead vocals. Their show consists of country music, 50's & 60's oldies and some pop standards in which they are a fully self-contained dress band with matching country attire. They have backed or worked with over 100 well –known national artists.

He won numerous awards in the Massachusetts Country Music Association and enjoyed membership in its Hall of Fame. His name was synonymous with the City of Waltham and John was always playing for various charities and entertainment venues including the American Liver Foundation, American Heart Association, Cystic Fibrosis, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Arthritis Foundation, Toys for Tots, Missing Children, Kidney Foundation, Shriners Burn Institute, Muscular Sclerosis, Leukemia Foundation and the Autism Foundation.

John was predeceased by his sisters, Rose Zimmerman, Mary Bivans and Jean Berry.

In addition to his wife of 35 years, Nancy, he leaves his sons, Michael J. Piantedosi and his wife, Vicki, of Herndon, Virginia, James J. Piantedosi of Cornelius, North Carolina, John Piantedosi and his wife, Lisa, of Granby, Connecticut and Robert E. Piantedosi of Waltham; his grandchildren, Jenny, Michael, James, Jr., Beth, Jeremiah, Tyler, Halley, Daniella, Stefani and Anthony; his great-grandchild, Madison; his sisters, Vera Piantedosi Divico of Arlington and Josephine Rosa of Florida and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember John's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Tuesday, January 15th, from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 8 a.m. on Wednesday morning before leaving in procession to Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Burial will be private.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Liver Foundation, 88 Winchester Street, Newton, MA 02461.