John F. Willey Jr., 57, of Sandown, NH died March 29, 2010 in Manchester after a brief illness.
Born in Chelsea, MA on April 3, 1952, he was the son of John F. Willey and Rita Brugnani. He grew up in Winthrop, MA, then lived many years in Muskegon, MI and Haverhill, MA before moving to New Hampshire 14 years ago.
He served in the US Air Force as a helicopter mechanic from 1970 to 1973.
Mr. Willey worked as a foundryman at auto manufacturing centers in Muskegon and later as a service consultant at Wall Lincoln Mercury in Methuen, MA and Rockingham Toyota in Salem, NH.
He was an avid racecar enthusiast and was a member of AMVETS. He was also a member of the Manchester Original Group of Alcoholics Anonymous, which is the oldest AA group in New Hampshire. He served as secretary of this organization in which he had many supportive friends.
The family includes his companion and special friend of many years, Lesley Sarchione of Sandown, NH; a daughter, Colleen Willey of Haverhill, MA; his father, John F. Willey and his wife, Barbara R. Greenberg of New York, NY; his mother, Rita Van Nunen and her husband, Arnold Van Nunen of Norton Shores, MI; Miss Kasandra Ventre of Salem, NH, to whom he was her beloved “Papa John”; eight siblings, Patricia DeForte of Norton Shores, MI, Barbara Brugnani of Saugatuck, MI, Laura Cross of Muskegon, MI, Linda Rousseau of Haverhill, MA, Cheryl Carroll of Sarasota, FL, Sharon Shyavitz of Hampstead, NH, Richard Gelotti of Hollis, NH and Deborah Osgood of East Kingston, NH; and aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
SERVICES: A family memorial service will take place in Haverhill, MA. Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, Manchester, NH is assisting the family with arrangements.