Monday, January 18, 2021
Dear Susan, Marisa, Gina and granddaughters,
Our dear, wonderful Johnnie has gone to be with the Lord in Heaven. Johnnie Boy (family name) was my First Cousin and, being an only child I wished I could have a Brother like him. As children we played together in the same house our Grandparents owned in Newark, NJ (John's father and my mother were close siblings. We called each other a lot as adults, but always had a laugh or two about staying up late each week to watch Gunsmoke together at Grandma's apartment upstairs. We both dressed up in cowboy and cowgirl clothes, complete with pistols and caps. Grandma would laugh at us shooting the "bad guys" to help Marshall Dillon in Dodge City. A few years later, we moved from Newark and had an apartment in Irvington, NJ. We still stayed together and were fast friends, along with Cousins. I will always bless Johnnie for being the only one of my relatives who came to my Mom's wake in October, 2009. He was so upset...my Mom loved Johnnie so much. There are so many wonderful memories, I could fill a book....Olympic Park, Seaside Heights, sledding with his Dad, roller skating at Twin City, and many more...Since Johnnie past I sometimes pick up the phone to call him....I am so sorry for Susan, Marisa, Gina, the Granddaughters, Valerie and Janice. I will miss him, as we were 11 months apart, but we will meet again. I know Our Lord was waiting at the Gate for him and knew all about the wonderful person Johnnie was. He always was a friend to all. So long, Cuz....See you on the "other side". May you Rest In Peace. Cousin Lillian Alexander Padavano
