Obituary of John Sportelli

John Sportelli, 89, of Venice, Florida died January 30, 2011 at home surrounded by his family. He was born on December 27, 1921 in Toronto, Italy and moved to the United States when he was six years old. He moved to Venice, Florida from Freehold in 1982. Mr. Sportelli retired as foreman of transportation at the N.A.D. Earle in 1976 after 36 years of service. He was a U. S. Army veteran of World War II. He served as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division in the European Theater of Operation with the rank of staff sergeant. He was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge and was awarded the Purple Award, European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge and Good Conduct Medal. Mr. Sportelli was a former communicant of St. Rose of Lima R.C. Church, Freehold. He was a member of Veteran of Foreign Wars Post No. 4374, Freehold, Disabled American Veterans, 82nd Airborne Division, Allied Airborne Division Association, and was a former member of American Legion Post No. 54, Freehold. He is survived by his wife, Mary Reis Sportelli; two sons, Joseph and Thomas Sportelli; a sister, Mary Kellar, three granddaughters; and a step-granddaughter. Visiting hours will be held at the Higgins Memorial Home, 20 Center Street, Freehold on Sunday from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at St. Rose of Lima Church, Freehold on Monday at 10:00 a.m. followed by interment at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery.