John Joseph Gelormino, Jr.

John Joseph Gelormino Jr. passed away peacefully in his home on July 18th, 2024, at the age of eighty-nine. His death follows a battle with cancer which John took on with bravery, humility and his legendary charm. 

John was born on Valentine’s Day in 1935 to John Gelormino Sr. and Helen Cataldo Gelormino in Charlotte Hungerford Hospital. He was raised in a close-knit Italian American family with a childhood full of love and a lot of time spent together around the dinner table. John found no greater joy than spending time with his family and friends at Sunday dinner, which happened almost every Sunday for over seventy years.

John graduated from Torrington High School in 1953 and after a year at Bryant College, he joined the army and was part of the American occupation force in Berlin Germany. John spoke fondly of his time in Europe, which was spent visiting the great cities of Europe and sampling the local culture. Upon returning to Torrington, John had a variety of business ventures, eventually taking over the family oil business from his father. Gelormino Oil’s bright red truck was a common sight in Torrington for over forty years, showing up to houses in the middle of the night to fix a broken furnace or fill an empty tank. John loved sports, playing basketball and baseball as a child and as an adult, spent countless hours on the golf course or at the bowling alley. John and Jean also loved traveling to Florida every winter, spending time with family and friends all along the way making no shortage of good memories. 

John was a member and past president of the Torrington Lions Club for fifty-five years, tirelessly dedicating his time and effort towards making his community a better place. John embraced a variety of roles in his time with the Lions, playing a part in every fundraiser or event the Lions held. He was also a recipient of The Melvin Jones Award; this Fellowship Award is the international club’s highest form of recognition and embodies humanitarian ideas consistent with the nature and purpose of Lionism.

John is predeceased by his loving wife of 30 years, Jean Gelormino, who was his steadfast companion and cherished partner throughout their lives together. John is survived by his sons Scott, Marc, and Jared; his daughter Julie; his stepchildren Laura, Jeff, Kenneth, and Doug; as well as his beloved sisters Shirley, Katherine, and Carol. John is also survived by their 7 grandchildren.

John had a good and long life and was blessed with a big family and many friends; his positive outlook and love of life was instilled in those who spent time with him and will not be forgotten. 

Calling hours will be held on Monday, August 5, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. at Cook Funeral Home, 82 Litchfield St., Torrington, CT.  The Torrington Lion's Club will conduct a memorial service at 5:45 p.m., followed by a funeral service at 6:00 p.m. at Cook Funeral home. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made in his name to the Lions club of Torrington PO Box 81, Torrington, CT, 06790 or online https://everloved.com/life-of/john-gelormino-jr/

Condolences may be sent to the Gelormino family online at www.cookfuneralhomect.com