John W. Pedro

John W. Pedro, Sr., 88, of Willimantic passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 22, 2012. Born January 9, 1924, in the Bronx, N.Y. to Katherine (Kandra) Watson and Peter Pedro. He spent most of his childhood growing up in Coventry, Ct. He worked for thirty-six years for SNET from 1947 until his retirement in 1983. A WWII U.S. Navy veteran who served in the European Theatre and at Omaha Beach in Normandy, France on the D-Day Allied Invasion on June 6, 1944. He trained at the U.S. Naval Training Station in Sampson, N.Y. He also served with the U.S. Naval Reserve Seabees for over thirty years as a master electrician, CE 1, in a construction battalion. John leaves his wife of 48 years Marie L. (Maheu) Pedro and daughter Ann M. Pedro. From his first marriage to Estelle Woron he leaves a daughter Deborah Johnston and son-in-law Edward Johnston of Hobe Sound, FL. He also leaves a brother Robert J. Pedro of Manchester, CT., granddaughter Jennifer Johnson and her husband Chad, their children Addie and Elliott of Lisbon, CT., granddaughter Joleen King and husband Jeff of Danielson, CT. He also leaves numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his son, John W. "Bill" Pedro, Jr. and sister Mae. He will be remembered for his outgoing personality, his fondness for storytelling, his willingness to help others, his interest in Connecticut history, and his love of family, friends, and devotion to his country. One of his greatest interests was aviation and enjoyed flying with his friends, reading about aviation history, photographing all types of aircraft, attending air shows and visiting air museums. John was a lifetime member of VFW Gold Star Post 1724, Willimantic. His other memberships included AT&T Pioneers, The New England Air Museum, Museum of Connecticut Glass, Fleet Reserve Association, Navy Seabee Veterans of America/Connecticut Island X-1 Torrington, AmVets E. A. D. Post 24, Torrington and MCB-12 Seabee Association and The American Legion, Post 19, Willimantic. His family will receive friends on Friday April 27th from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Potter Funeral Home, 465 Jackson St. /Rt. 195 in Willimantic. Funeral service will begin at 12:00 noon. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, Coventry. Memorial contributions may be made to any of the following organizations: New England Air Museum, Bradley International Airport, 36 Perimeter Rd., Windsor Locks, Ct. 06096, The Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, 103 Old Iron Ore Rd., Bloomfield, Ct. 06002, National Wasp WWII Museum, P.O. Box 456, 210 Avenger Field Rd., Sweetwater, TX. 79556-6608, Museum of Connecticut Glass, Inc. c/o 27 Plank Lane, Glastonbury, Ct. 06033-2523. Please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com for online memorial guestbook.