John Joseph Venezia

John Joseph Venezia (Suga, Sarge, Charlie), age 100 of Gulfport, MS passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on January 10, 2021. He was born on April 20, 1920 in Rockland Lake, N.Y. to Gaetano and Rosina Venezia. He graduated from Congers High in 1939. He worked as a welder before joining the military in 1942. He retired as a Master Sergeant after thirty years of active duty in the Air Force. During his military career, he received numerous awards. After retirement, he spent another twenty years working for the civil service at KAFB officially retiring in his late seventies. At age 91, he was recognized as the American Red Cross’s King of blood donations for donating twenty-three gallons of blood and saving over 500 lives. He was an avid sportsman and played various sports throughout his life. He had a special love for Racquetball, and he played daily at KAFB well into his mid-eighties. He also enjoyed fixing and building things, working in his garden, growing his own vegetables, and playing the slots at the casinos. Suga had a great outlook on life, always had a smile on his face, and brought so much joy to everyone who knew him. John was preceded in death by his parents, Gaetano and Rosina Venezia; wife, Elsie Venezia; son, Michael Venezia; and siblings, William Venezia, Anthony Venezia, Filomena Venezia, Amelia Liska, and Anna Westervelt. He is survived by his daughter, Rosemarie (Ron) Martel; sister-in-law, Natalie Farber; grandchildren, Danny Parker, Ashley Martel, Jon (Jordan) Martel, and Janette Parker; great-grandchildren, Kelsey Favre, Harrison Parker, Madeline Parker, Amelia Martel, and Jaxon O’Neal; and numerous nieces and nephews in New York that he loved dearly. The family would like to extend a big thank you to Sarah Partridge for taking such good care of our Suga, for being his friend, and most of all, for loving him like he was family. We love you. The family would also like to thank Dr. Cheney and nurse Becky for the wonderful care they provided over the years. A visitation will be held from 12:30 pm- 2:00 pm with a service at 2:00 pm on Sat., January 16, 2021 all at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, Pass Rd., Biloxi, MS. A private burial for family will be held at Biloxi National Cemetery on Monday.