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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:

John was born in Pittsburgh, PA in 1914. One of his greatest dreams was realized when he became a pilot in the 1930s-1940s. He became an accomplished pilot, flew many types of aircraft, and eventually instructed others.

During WWII he put his dream aside as he was needed as a welding foreman in the construction of LSTs in Ambridge, PA. During the War, he married Bobbie Bartiromo; they had four children and saw that they all became college graduates.

John was Chief Engineer at a major Pittsburgh hospital during that time. Along with his daughter, Barbara (who was influenced by him and now works for the Buhl Planetarium), he made a trip to Florida in 1981 to watch the first manned shuttle launch - the Columbia.

Though his health failed towards the end of his life here on earth, his love of aviation and space exploration never stopped.

His other children are John II, Rhoda and George.