John Nicholas DeJuliis Sr.
John Nicholas DeJuliis Sr., 95, of Monongahela passed away peacefully in his home in Monongahela surrounded by his family on February 25, 2022. Born January 14, 1927, in Monongahela, he was a son of Nicola and Domenica D’Orazio DeYuliis.
On January 31, 1944, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged on March 1, 1946, after serving his country in five battles during World War II, on the USS Heermann (DD532). During WWII, the USS Hermann and crew were well known for the Battle off Samar, which was the centermost action of the Battle of Leyte Gulf, and was considered the conflict’s largest naval engagement. It was noted that she was likely the only U.S. destroyer in WWII to engage heavy cruisers and battleships directly. The USS Heermann was the only serving destroyer of Taffy III, and received the Presidential Unit Citation (United States) and Presidential Unit Citation (Philippines) awards.
On February 12, 1953, he married the late Evelyn Ruth Carlson. John made his career and dedicated 30 years of federal service for the United States of America government at the Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center, U.S. Department of Energy. He retired on November 29, 1989.
Catholic in faith, he was an active parishioner of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Monongahela, (now known as St. Andrew the Apostle Parish), where he worshiped God and continued to attend mass until the pandemic restricted him from safely being able to attend.
Earlier in life, he enjoyed hunting in Forest County and was a member of East Monongahela Sportsman’s Club on River Hill. He was a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus and the Moose Lodge in Florida. After his retirement, he and his wife enjoyed traveling to Hawaii, Panama Canal, and spending winters in their Florida home, which he continued to do after she passed, up until a few years ago. He was a devoted Pittsburgh Steelers fan and enjoyed watching his grandson shoot trap for many years in the Mon Valley Trapshooting League. He stayed very active, working out, biking in Florida, and walking until he could no longer continue those activities.
He loved spending time with his grandkids and great-grandkids, and especially loved treating his great-grandkids with pizza and ice cream. He never passed up the opportunity to have a meal with his family at Eat-N-Park. His favorite TV shows were Cowboy Westerns and enjoyed watching them until the moment God called for him to be reunited with Him and his beloved wife, Evelyn.
Surviving are four children: John Nicholas (Tina) DeJuliis, Jr. of Bentleyville, Carl Michael DeJuliis of East Lyme, Conn., Carol Ann (Charles) Sims of Clairton, and Ruth Ann (Randy) Koontz of Donora; three grandchildren: Christopher “C.J.” (Kristie) DeJuliis, Kevin (Kala) DeJuliis, and Krista Koontz; four great-grandchildren: Aveigha DeJuliis, Savino DeJuliis, Leena DeJuliis, and Leo DeJuliis; and two half-sisters: Nicolette DeYuliis Blum and Mariann DeYuliis Felcyn.
In addition to his parents and wife Evelyn, he was preceded in death by his siblings: Margaret DeYuliis Polinsky, James DeYuliis, Mary Louise DeYuliis Popp, and Rose DeYuliis Champ, and daughter-in-law, Carl’s wife, Brenda DeJuliis.
He will be greatly missed and continue to live on through all the cherished memories shared by all who knew and loved him.
Family and friends will be received from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, February 28, 2022, in the Frye Funeral Home, Inc., 427 W. Main Street, Monongahela, PA.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 in St. Andrew the Apostle Parish, Monongahela. Committal services and entombment will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Monongahela with military honors accorded by the Mon Valley Honor Guard and Firing Squad.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.fryefuneralhome.com.