John P. Marinelli, Jr.

The Angelic Council in heaven told God they needed a new chef. Not only did God okay it, he told them he knew exactly who it would be. He said the person does not need to be the most religious individual, but the most beloved of people. Who, who is the person God? "His name is John P Marinelli, Jr aka "Big John", "The Big Kahuna", who passed away on Friday October 18, 2024. Born and bred in Lackawanna, New York, he epitomized what I believe is one of the finest, sweetest gentlemen and he sure can cook." The angels wanted to know more about him. Johnny was Lackawanna through and through. Everybody knew Big John. He was a renaissance man in a different way. Lackawanna is a fairly big city, but you knew to contact Big John if you needed a plumber, electrician, carpenter or someone to shovel snow. He did not use the Yellow Pages or a computer. He looked up the phone numbers on his phone. Not only would they immediately cover Johnnys needs, but they did so simply because he knew who to call. Who else loved Johnny? His family, friends and neighbors, too many to name, on the street where he lived his entire life. He was a professional chef having graduated from Johnson and Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. After graduating he worked at a hotel restaurant in Florida for awhile, but Lackawanna was where he wanted to be. He also was the Executive Chef at the former Ebenezer Onion restaurant, but somehow he was looking for a job that influenced people. So he became a culinary arts teacher for Erie1Boces, Buffalo. His students loved him and they learned from him. They wished they could spend a full day with him as opposed to a half day. Many went on to culinary jobs everywhere. I love the fact he went on vacation with his boss and bosss son to see his sister in South Carolina. Not many bosses love their employees. This was different. His devotion to his profession influenced so many young people, including in his own family, turning out bakers, chefs, and a culinary administrator. Johnny never married. His "wife" was his kitchen and the numerous kids he influenced. He had a great smile and he was so funny. He made people feel good. Hell be perfect for his job now in heaven. The word many use to describe Big John has been "beloved". The dictionary defines beloved as "clearly loved and dear to the heart". That sums up John P Marinelli, Jr alas Big John. Dear brother of Elaine (Michael) Silver and the late Sandra Marinelli; cherished uncle of Jimmy (Diana) Rotterman and Julie (Paul) Schiavone; loving great-uncle of Jacob, Siena, Chiara and Emilia; also loved by family and friends. Relatives and friends may visit the LOMBARDO FUNERAL HOME (Southtowns Chapel), 3060 Abbott Rd. near Lake Ave on Wednesday (October 23) from 3-8 PM, where a Funeral Service will be held on Thursday morning at 10 oclock.