Giampaolo Colella

We mourn the loss and celebrate the life of our beloved Giampaolo (John) Colella who passed away on Monday, September 19, 2022 at age 88. John was born in San Benedetto in Perellis, Italy on August 28, 1934. At age 15, following WWII, John moved to Caracas, Venezuela to work and earn enough money for himself and his parents in Italy. There he became fluent in Spanish and developed his love of Venezuelan food.

When a cousin returned from a wedding in New York he showed John a picture of the wedding party. Included in that picture was a girl who caught his eye. John told his cousin that he wanted to meet her. He flew to New York and arranged to meet the beautiful young woman who he learned was named Margherita (also known as Margaret.) This young woman came home from work one day soaking wet from a rain shower. She was told as she walked in the door that there was a young man there to meet her. This was the beginning of John and Margherita’s life-long love story. On September 14 they celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary.

John was a wonderful man and dedicated his life to his wife and his family. He worked hard and took care of, protected, and always provided for his family, and always gave them unconditional love. His legacy will live on through his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren as he rewarded them with the opportunities to have a great life.  His kindness and generosity will be remembered by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

John is survived by his wife, Margherita, son Nunzio (Nick), daughter Lina, and daughter-in-law Tricia; grandchildren Victoria and her husband Hayden, John Paul (JP) and Christopher; and great-grandchild Kylar. Victoria, Hayden and Kylar live in Tarpon Springs, FL and JP is a student at University of Florida in Gainesville. Margherita, Nunzio, Lina, Tricia, and Christopher reside in Boca Raton.

A visitation will be held from 4-8 PM on Sunday, September 25 at Glick Family Funeral Home in Boca Raton.  A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, September 26 in the Chapel at The Boca Raton Mausoleum.

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