John Philip Breazzano

John Philip Breazzano, Korean War Army Veteran, 90, passed away peacefully at Grant Rehabilitation and Care Center, Petersburg, WVA, on August 23, 2021. Prior to admittance, he resided in Moorefield, WV.

John was born in Brooklyn, NY, on July 9, 1931, to John  Graziano and Lena Breazzano (nee Sanchimenti).  He graduated from Pompton Lakes High School in NJ in 1948. Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the Army and was assigned to the 101st Airborne and then later transferred out as a marine engineer.  He was shipped to Okinawa and worked in the Counterintelligence Corp as a military diver in the Pacific between Vietnam and Japan.  When war broke out, he was transferred to Korea and participated in the invasion at Inchon as well as the recovery of a Russian MIG that crashed offshore from enemy territory. He received the Korean Service Medal with 5 Bronze Service Stars along with a Presidential Unit Citation.

After the Army, John spent two years in an automotive engineering school and, upon completion, started his own auto service stations In the Pompton Plains area of NJ.  He eventually ended up working on sports racing cars and had his own racing team.  John was named the Northern NJ’s Sports Car of America Division Champion.

In the mid 1960’s, John moved to the Adirondacks in upstate, NY, and opened the Red Barn Airport Para-Center, along with an auto service business.  John loved to fly and held training and shows for skydiving events.  He became a licensed flight instructor.  He also enjoyed building model airplanes as a hobby.

In the mid-1970’s, while living in NJ, John went into law enforcement, working as an SPCA Law Enforcement Officer for over 20 years. He also became involved in the horse business and bought Bittersweet Farms in Morris County, NJ, where he raised quarter horses and some thoroughbreds.

John moved to Moorefield, WV, where he retired in 1996.  Here he continued his hobby of flying while also working as a flight instructor and flight mechanic.

John is survived by his wife, Valerie Joan Breazzano (nee Smith) whom he married in 1984: his brother, Richard Breazzano (Ann), of  Carney’s Point, NJ; and his five children from his first marriage: John P. Breazzano, Jr. (Donna) of Manlius, NY; David J. Breazzano (Denise) of Weston, MA; DonaLee Breazzano of La Plata, MD; Debra J. Breazzano  (Eric) of Colorado Springs, CO.; and Darcie J. Breazzano, of Charlotte, NC.; along with 7 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

John enjoyed the Moorefield/Petersburg area and was active in a number of local organizations.  His family expresses their thanks to the many community members and friends who knew John and Val and enriched their lives.

John’s remains will be placed at the Olivet Cemetery in the Cremation Garden Columbarium.