Obituary of John J. Spitalieri

John J. Spitalieri, 88, of Atco, passed away on September 16, 2013. Beloved husband of the late Letitia (nee Serratore); Devoted father of Regina, Dr. John Robert (Donna) and the late Salvatore (surviving wife Debbie); Loving grandfather of Salvatore, Jr., Stephanie, Helen, Emily, Maximus Spartacus, Steven C. & Jennifer Mersiowsky and Josh & Amanda Hubler. Dear brother of Mary (Ed) DePaolo-Roach, Paul (Josephine) and late Alfred (surviving wife Catherine); Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Born and raised in South Philadelphia, John attended South Philadelphia High School, where he participated in gymnastics. Mr. Spitalieri was a US Army veteran of World War II, Honorably discharged from the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division of the US Army during World War II. He served in the Rhineland and Central Europe Campaigns (Germany, France and Austria). After the military, John attended Syracuse University where he received his Bachelors' Degree. He was proud to be the Captain of his gymnastics team. He met and married his beloved wife Letitia and moved to Atco to raise his 3 children there. He was a devoted & loving father and grandfather. An educator for over 30 years in the former Edgewood Junior High School, Mr. Spitalieri earned his Masters in Special Education and became a learning disabilities consultant and eventually a principal. John was responsible for creating an in-district program, "The Annex", for high school students with social and emotional disabilities. He was also proud to be both a counselor and later director of the Sherwood Day Camp formerly in Turnersville. Upon "retirement", John became an adjunct professor at Glassboro State College for students earning teaching certifications in Special Education. John and his wife, Letitia were life long parishioners of Christ the Redeemer Parish/Assumption Church in Atco. He was also a respected member and former president of the Atco Seniors, for more than 20 years. He was an avid gardener and he loved bowling. Relatives and friends are invited to a viewing on Thursday, September 19, 2013 from 7 to 9 PM and Friday, September 20, 2013, from 8:30 to 9:30 AM. at the LeRoy P. Wooster Funeral Home & Crematory, 441 White Horse Pike in Atco. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, September 20, 2013 at 10AM at Christ the Redeemer Parish/Assumption Church, 318 Carl Hasselhan Dr. in Atco. Interment will follow at Atco Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Samaritan Healthcare & Hospice, 5 Eves Drive, Suite 300, Marlton, NJ 08053. To e-mail a condolence, please visit www.lpwoosterfuneralhome.com