John Adriano

Pawcatuck — John P. Adriano, 85, of Pawcatuck, died Oct. 1, 2017, at the Westerly Hospital after a brief illness.

John was born in the Borough of Stonington, the son of the late Mary Adriano. John attended the Borough School in Stonington. John served in the military during the Korean War and was stationed overseas in Japan. In 2010, he was awarded a citation for his military service by the Connecticut Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz.

John began his work life as a boy stringing bait on the docks of Stonington. He was also employed by CW Swan Corp. of Westerly as a mason for 25 years. After the closure of the Swan Corp., John worked for 20 years at the American Velvet Corp. until his retirement in 1997. He was also a past member of the VFW in Pawcatuck.

John is survived by his wife of 63 years, Rita (Ravenelle) Adriano; daughter, Adele Adriano of Westerly and her partner, David of North Stonington; son, John A. Adriano and his wife, Joann, of Pawcatuck. He also leaves two grandchildren, Dr. Jennifer Phaiah and her husband, Adam, of Noank, and James Adriano and his partner, Megan, of Ledyard; and three great-grandchildren, Landon Adriano Phaiah, Blake Kenneth Phaiah and Cameron John Adriano. He was predeceased by his mother and his brother, Jesse Adriano.

Visiting hours will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 4, at Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce St., Westerly. A Funeral Liturgy will take place at 11 a.m. on Thursday, at St. Mary’s Church, 95 Main St., Stonington. There is no procession from the funeral home to church. Burial will follow at St. Michael Cemetery, Pawcatuck.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John’s memory to the St. Michael Capital Campaign, 60 Liberty St., Pawcatuck, CT 06379.

For online condolences please visit www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com.