Obituary of John Picinich

Mr. John Picinich, age 91 of New Fairfield passed away in his home of a several year illness surrounded by his loving family on the morning of May 23, 2018.

He was born on March 9, 1927 in Island Park, NY, the son of the late Constante M. Picinich and Bertha (Visintine) Picinich.  He grew up on Long Island, attended Malvern H.S. graduating in 1945.  He was a Boy Scout and attained the Rank of Life Scout, and was a member of the Civil Air Patrol.

He served in the Army during WWII at Fort Dix, NJ and was Honorably Discharged in December 1946.  He then attended night school at New York University for 6 years during which time he married and started his family while employed in the building industry on Long Island in his father's footsteps.

He graduated from NYU School of Commerce, Accounts and Finance with a Bachelor of Science in Insurance and Real Estate in 1953.

He moved to Danbury, CT in the mid 1960's and began Picinich Builders, constructing homes in Danbury, New Fairfield and Bethel, CT which flourished for over 50 years.  He was known for his equanimity and fairness with contractors and customers alike.

He was a prolific reader of Biographies, History, Architecture and Politics.  He was a member of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and enjoyed attending lectures and exhibitions there, along with Broadway shows and musicals through his late eighties.  He enjoyed classic cars and attended car shows frequently.  He traveled extensively in Europe  and the United States and loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. 

He truly was a devoted son and life companion.  He began a family legacy of caring for and maintaining his elderly parents in their own home on LI for 8 years with his life-long love Ann's help, which he continued for Ann at her home in New Jersey in her last years.   He was a devoted life long companion to Miss Ann Gambardella, of  West Orange, NJ, for 46 years, who he called the "love of his life".

He was generous and loving father to and is survived by Gregory F. Picinich of West Islip, NY, Suzanne M. Picinich, DO and her husband Lyle Q. Taylor of Youngstown, OH, Thomas J. Picinich and his wife Ellen Kleckner of Waterford, CT.  He is also survived by his two sisters; Pauline Lukkar of Pensacola, FL and Elizabeth Egan Grenham of Riverhead, NY.

Some of his happiest times were spent with his grandchildren; Jonas E. and Elias N. Picinich of Waterford, CT and Zachary W., Patrick A. and Benjamin T. Taylor of Columbiana, Ohio.  He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his former wife and mother of his children: Kathryn (Gietl) Picinich and Brother-in-Laws; George Lukkar, Robert Egan, John Grenham.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at 10:00 am at St. Edward the Confessor Church in New Fairfield, burial to follow at Mountainview Cemetery.

Family will receive friends at the Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White Street, Danbury on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 from 5:00 - 8:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in John's name may be made to:

Melanoma Research Foundation, visit website: www.melanoma.org