John A. Micele Sr.

John A. Micele, Sr. of Abington, formerly Hyde Park, passed away at the age of 98 on April 28, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. John was born and raised in East Boston, MA. He later moved to Hyde Park with his late wife Agnes (Mercurio) Micele. They were happily married for 69 years. John was the father to John Micele, Jr. and his wife Alison of Randolph, MA; Mark Micele and his wife Margaret of Abington, MA; and was predeceased by his son James of Randolph, MA who is survived by his wife Linda. John is survived by 8 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

John worked for The Stride Rite Shoe Company (formerly the Green Shoe Co.) in Boston for over 35 years. He was also employed by Heartland Foods located in Walpole, MA for eight years.

John was a WWll combat veteran serving in the US Army 66th Black Panther Division 262nd regiment M company as a staff sergeant from 1943 – 1946. While in the service John was a survivor of the SS Leopoldville sinking. On Christmas Eve 1944 John and his company were crossing the English Channel aboard the HMS Cheshire following behind the SS Leopoldville. These two troops’ ships were transporting the GIs across the channel as the bulge offensive was on going. The SS Leopoldville was struck with a torpedo from a German U boat. Well over 800 GIs perished that night. John spent his time in northern France in 90 days of combat until the German surrender. He later spent time from 1945-1946 in the Rainbow Division in Italy, France, and Austria. In 1945 an Austrian woman gave John a beagle dog and entered her into USO shows. They named the dog VJ after the Japanese surrender. The dog was smuggled home in 1946 and lived until 1957 with John’s parents. The dog was buried at the Hillside Cemetery in Methuen, MA with a headstone that read she was the mascot of the M Company.

After his wife Agnes passed away in December of 2016 John resided in Abington, MA with his son Mark and daughter-in-law Margaret.

John represented the Greatest Generation in a prideful and admirable fashion. John loved to hear the National Anthem. He always said that song gave him a lump in his throat when he heard it. John was proud of his flag and country.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to Hospice of the South Shore Checks can be mailed to 30 Reservoir Park Drive Rockland, MA 02370

A visitation will be held at the Quealy & Son Funeral Home, 116 Adams Street, Abington on Wednesday May 4 from 8:30am to 10am, followed by a funeral mass at St. Bridget Church, Abington 10:30am. Interment to follow at New Calvary Cemetery, Boston.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John A. Micele Sr., please visit our floral store.