ForeverMissed
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His Life

My Brother John

July 31, 2010

John Francis was the first born child of Annamarie Pietrunti De Lisi and Francis John De Lisi. He made his way from the Sister Elizabeth hospital in Brooklyn N.Y. in his mother’s arms and father’s 1951 Plymouth convertible. Not just any convertible but a car that only John could be taken home in at birth. Daddy’s bright red, white convertible top, white walled tired car had a leopard skin interior and transported him to his newly built brick home located at 970 East 46th Street, Brooklyn N.Y.. Thus sets the exciting life style John enjoyed, so the fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree!

2 years later he was blessed with his brother, Francis Paul De Lisi, born on Valentine’s Day. The two of them look like night and day. John with his blonde hair, blue eyes, rounded nose and pale complexion and Frankie with his dark hair, brown eyes, darker skin and chiseled features were different in many ways but shared the same love of adventure and dared to do what others would only dream of. The two of them enjoyed their little bubble life for 3 years until a princess came into their lives. Their wonderful little sister Brenda Jean made her entrance on March 6, and took over a bedroom, so they got to room together for the remainder of their lives in the De Lisi households. From birth John enjoyed his summers in Breezy Point at the family bungalow, 806 Bayside. The bay front was his playground and a true water baby he was. He was introduced to boats from birth and he always owned at least one and managed to demolish at least a dozen during his life whether they were his or his friends or his sister’s for that matter. Back in Brooklyn, school days were less than enjoyable in Little Flower, St Theresa of Lisieux . Many adventures with his best friends took place on his home block and within the neighborhood. Mathew Messana, Frankie Santano, Eddie Santano, Frankie Zizza, Chris Stokes, and Gerard Ward were definitely names that get credit for all the excitement that took place on a daily basis. Boys will be boys was an understatement.
John was very smart and had even won the Einstein award trophy for his science fair project that was a real honor. He never had to study. He was one of those kids that could get an A without even looking at his notes. Grades came easy for him. After troubling times with the changes taking place within our neighborhood and crime on the rise, his parents decided to build their permanent residence in Breezy Point and sell the Brooklyn home. The demolition of the De Lisi’s then 3 bedroom bungalow gave way to the house they still reside in today. John grew and developed into the generous, full of life, boisterous, energetic and unique individual and maintained a bond with his friends and community from this central point within Breezy Point. After leaving Little Flower, John went to Brooklyn Tech and after 3 ½ years of honors he got into a fight and left that school to attend Far Rockaway High School. There he found attending school to be dangerous. His Catholic school personality didn’t prepare him for the hard knocks he received there. After trying to defend himself and having his life threatened he left 2 weeks before graduation.   Later on he obtained his G.E.D. John had an entrepreneurial   personality and the brilliance to accompany it. He made money through hard work for years in the family business, AKA the sweat factory, Dee Frames and Mouldings Inc. There John, many of his family members as well as many of his Brooklyn and Breezy friends found themselves learning how to stain, cut, join and package every type of picture frame and molding product. Hard work was the only kind of work available at the factory. John made friends with everyone and anyone that crossed his path. Within the factory, Jewish, Italian, Latino, African, Haitian, Trinidadian and other island cultures made up the working environment.   Dee Frames was truly a multicultural melting pot. John befriended everyone. 
John was always a hard worker and seized opportunity when it presented itself. He assisted many friends in opening their businesses and bailed many friends out of debt. John gave on many occasions to better others lives and even save others lives without expecting anything in return. John was a man of his word. When he said you owed him nothing, he expected nothing. When John had an arrangement with someone he kept to it and if the other person didn’t keep his word, John didn’t take it sitting down.   John was a good friend, brother, cousin, acquaintance, neighbor and above all son. He was there for all including the church. His love of life and lust for adventure is something anyone that knew John got to experience through John. From hanging with his friends, Billy Gora, Bobby Ryan, Ricky Ryan, Jimmy Pierson and Gerard Valentine to name a few, boating with Scott Hogan and Arthur Darby, destroying boats on the ocean rollers with Neil Azar, Joe Coletto and again Scott Hogan to driving in the demolition derby car races with Billy Coluchi, know as Gouch, John is person not to be forgotten. John enjoyed his toys, challenges and the holidays. John’s favorite holiday was Christmas, He loved to be with his huge Italian family led by Nana and enjoyed dinner at everyone’s house that night! He made his rounds bearing gifts and his signature laugh. His love of good food was known and shared with everyone. His favorite places where Randazzo’s, Peter Luger’s, Gargullio’s and Rockaway’s very own Tiberio’s. Establishment owners like Mrs. Randazzo loved John very much. Others still enjoy retelling stories about their times with John.
It is through the stories that friends and family will enter on this memorial site that we can experience each others found memories that will be a continuance of our dear John as a gift from each of us to each other.