Obituary of John Colella

John Colella, a longtime resident of Madison, passed away peacefully after a long illness on Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at the age of 91.

John is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Anne Marie Colella (née Smethurst); two sons, Michael Colella and his wife Deborah & John Colella; one daughter, Linda Cutillo and her husband Peter; one cherished granddaughter, Gabriella Cutillo; one brother, Tony Colella; and one sister, Marilyn Ferincola.

In addition to his parents, John was predeceased by his brother, Thomas Colella.

John was born on April 16, 1933 in Paterson to the late Anthony & Antonetta Colella, where he was raised with his three siblings. At a young age John was instilled with a devout Catholic faith. John attended mass regularly at St. Vincent Martyr Church since moving to Madison in 1989.

John served in the United States Air Force and after his service he earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He was a talented chemist with the Hoffman-La Roche Pharmaceutical Company in Nutley for many years before his retirement.

John was a wonderful father, devoted husband and proud grandfather whose family meant everything to him.

John loved sports, especially baseball. He was a diehard New York Yankees fan and was proud of the fact that his brother tried out for the Yankees in their youth. He was also an avid bowler, playing regularly with his brother Tony all the way up to two years ago.

John was a regular investor and closely followed the stock market daily. He would fondly recall his first stock purchase in the Tootsie Roll Candy Company.

In his retirement John enjoyed puttering around taking trips to the store, attending mass and other various errands. Everywhere he went John made new friends through his kind and approachable disposition.  He was a genuine man with a heart of gold.

There is no doubt that John had an impact on everyone he met. He was a pillar of wisdom, guidance and strength for all, and he will be deeply missed.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to a visitation for John to be held on Friday, March 7, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Madison Memorial Home. A funeral service at 12:00 p.m. will follow the visitation, led by Fr. Owen Moran.

Interment and committal service with military honors will follow at St. Vincent’s Cemetery, Madison.

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made in John’s memory to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023.