Obituary
INGRATTA, JOHN CHARLES
AKA “Papa John”
Passed away peacefully at 84 years of age with this family by his side on Tuesday, September 27, 2022 at Erie Shores Hospice. Beloved husband of Donna (O’Connell) for 58 years. Cherished father of Mary Catherine Stevenson (Russell Bickford), Jo-Anne Ingratta (predeceased 1983) and Susie Ingratta (Jason Cornies). Loving Papa John to Casey Stevenson, Cody Stevenson, Kyle Woldenberg-Puyda (Ciara), Megan Puyda (Taylor Reis), John Puyda (Victoria Varela) and Ryan Puyda (Amal Sleiman). Great Papa John to Theo Woldenberg-Puyda. John was known to many as Papa John but to his grandkids he was much more than this; he was a father figure encompassing the entire family. Dear brother of Amy Ingratta, Marie DeGraw (Don). Dear brother-in-law to Ralph and Clara Larmer and Pat O’Connell. Predeceased by his parents James and Irene Ingratta, sisters Barbara and Brenda Ingratta, his in-laws Domenic and Mary O’Connell and his brother-in-law Dennis O’Connell. John will be missed by many cousins, nieces, and nephews. John was born in Chatham Ontario and raised in Rodney Ontario working side by side with his cousins on the family farm. He went to the University of Guelph and received a degree in Horticulture and then went to work for H.J. Heinz in 1964 in the Agricultural Department and retired 25 years later as General Manager of Procurement. He then joined the Board of Directors for Leamington Hospital and spent his retirement helping create the Leamington Hospital Foundation. He was instrumental in bringing the Nurse Practitioners into Leamington Hospital, running the hospital Gala for 25 years and raising funds to have the Erie Shores Hospice built. One of John’s greatest joys was the fall when hunting season opened and he shared this with all his grandson’s. He would plan all his hunts beginning with opening day in Walpole to his 3 weeks of pheasant hunts on Pelee Island and then deer hunting with his friends and family in Amherstburg. This by far was always his favourite time of year especially target shooting practice at the cabin in Rodney. He also enjoyed adding to his extensive wine cellar whenever possible and Sunday pasta dinners with anyone who stopped by. As anyone who knew John he loved to cook, and the door was always open. We would like to thank Dr. Alexandra Gow and the Erie Shores Hospice team for all their care. The family request donations be sent to Erie Shores Hospice (Hospice Erie Shores Campus). Visiting at Reid Funeral Home, 14 Russell Street, Leamington (519-326-2631) on Sunday 2-5 & 7-9 p.m. and on Monday, October 3, 2022 at St. Michael’s Church, 29 Elliott Street, Leamington from 10 a.m. until Mass of the Resurrection at 11 a.m. Cremation to follow. Friends may share memories at www.reidfuneralhome.ca.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of John Charles Ingratta September 27 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Leamington, Province: Ontario