John D’Apice – 85 – of 221 Vincent St., Hornell, died Saturday evening (February 4, 2012) at St. James Mercy Hospital, following a long illness.

Born in Yonkers, NY on October 15, 1926, he was the son of Anthony & Anna (Grillo) D’Apice.

He has resided in Hornell since 1942 and attended Hornell High School (with the class of 1944).  Because of his love of his country, John made the patriotic decision to drop out of high school and serve his country during WWII.  He joined the US Navy and served in the Atlantic aboard the USS Amsterdam and later the USS Patoka.

Many years later, US Government finally acknowledged the sacrifice that so many young men made to leave high school to serve their country during wartime.  So, in 2001, John along with several other local veterans were honored & finally thanked for their service and were awarded their high school diplomas in a ceremony on the Broadway Mall.For 12 years, John was employed as a heavy equipment operator in the construction industry and worked on the building of the Almond Dam.  He later served (for 23 years) as custodian at the Bryant School, retiring in 1984 due to health reasons.

John served as Scout Master for 1 year and Assistant Scout Master for Troup 17 for 4 years.  He served as liaison officer & bus driver for the Tiersman Drum & Bugle Corp VFW for 5 years and served as Commander of the Hornell VFW Post 2250 for 2 terms.  John was a Hornell Little League coach for 4 years and coached in the Hornell Grasshopper League for 2 years.  He also served as Hornell 7th Ward Alderman for 4 years where he voted in favor of the building of James Street Park and the Hornell Reservoir.

He was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a communicant of St. Ann’s Church.  As a volunteer in Hornell community, John donated his time with the RSVP Cluster Group, American Red Cross, Pro Action Nutrition Program (Meals on Wheels).  He was a member of the Hornell VFW, AMVETS and the Hornell Association, Disabled American Vets (DAV) and the USS Amsterdam Reunion Association.

John was preceded in death by 3 brothers, Frank D’Apice, Mike D’Apice and Robert D’Apice; his son-in-law, Steve Wetherbee.

Surviving are his wife, Dolores; 1 son, Anthony (Allisa) D’Apice of Dunlap, TN; 4 daughters, Theresa (Joe) Lecceardone of Arkport, Mary Lee Wetherbee of Cave Creek, AZ, Dominica (William) Paul of Glendale, AZ, Johna D’Apice of Canisteo; 2 step-children, Richard (Sally) Head of Hornell and Barbara (Robert) Contente of Dansville; brother, Alfred (Marilyn) D’Apice of Hornell; 18 grandchildren; 4 step-grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; several nieces & nephews.  He will also be sadly missed by his faithful companion, Shelby.

The family of John D’Apice will receive friends on Wednesday from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 10:00 AM at St. Ann’s Church with burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery with full military honors.

John’s family request that memorial donations in his name be made to the Hornell Humane Society, 7649 Industrial Park Road, Hornell, NY 14843 or to St. Ann’s School, 27 Erie Ave., Hornell, NY 14843 Memorial forms will be available at the Dagon Funeral Home.

In recognition of John’s service to his country during WWII, the American Flag will be flown at Half-Staff at the Dagon Funeral Home.