John H. Pilla's Obituary
John Hubert Pilla passed from this earth on November 1 – All Saints Day – surrounded by his family. They rejoice that he is released from the limits imposed by his illness of many years, Parkinson’s/Dementia.
John was born to Florence and Angelo Pilla in Saint Paul, Minnesota on November 3, 1934. He was greatly influenced by the love of his family, their Catholic faith, and his heritage as a child of Italian American immigrants growing up in Saint Paul’s Little Italy in the 40’s and 50’s. As a young teen in 1948, he suffered the devastating loss of his father, Angelo, to leukemia. Adversity only strengthened his character and resolve.
John attended Johnson High School in East Saint Paul where he earned All-City honors as the center on the varsity football team. Upon his graduation in 1952, he was accepted to Saint Thomas College in Saint Paul, MN. Proud and unwilling to allow his mother to fund both college tuition and living expenses, after one semester he entered the Marines and was selected to train as an electrical technician in San Diego. Following two years of service, he returned home to his sweetheart Dolores in January of 1955 and they married on March 12, 1955.
John had a long and successful career with IBM beginning in 1956 as a customer engineer until he retired in 1991 as a senior director. Following his professional career he served the Montgomery County School District as the beloved “Magic School Bus” driver delighting children on their routes to and from school.
During his IBM career he and Dolores moved nine times and he boasted of having planted more trees than Johnny Appleseed. His beloved former farm, Terra Bella, now bears a 30 year old grove of 4,500 hardwoods and pines that he planted, tended, and fed in the 80’s prior to his move to Germantown, MD.
John threw himself into hobbies sequentially, though his love of tending roses and vegetable gardens was a life-long passion. He was an avid reader and fisherman and passed those loves on to his children. He loved to dance with Dolores. He loved his country and took pride in his service in the Marines. He was a passionate political campaigner. He volunteered tirelessly for his churches and community organizations. He was an expert woodworker. He could fix just about anything, and did. He was a good neighbor and a caring manager. John lived the saying, “he ain’t heavy, he’s my brother” and generously aided family, friends, co-workers and those in need throughout his life.
More than anything he accomplished in the life he lived, John was proudest of his wife, children and grandchildren and most happy when they were gathered together for family celebrations and holidays. He loved to eat and especially loved Dolores’ apple pies earning him the beloved nickname Pooh.
John leaves the love of his life – his bride of 60 years, Dolores Ann (Stewart) Pilla, his six children and their spouses: Julia Nicholson (Chip) Muse, John Michael Pilla, Cynthia Pilla (Randy) Rice, Jeffrey Mark (Lori) Pilla, Christopher Stewart (Marta) Pilla, and Nicholas Mario (Melissa) Pilla and 18 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren as testament to his life and love. Those mourning his passing include his brother Dan (Carla) Pilla and sister-in-law Joan (Stewart) Marchio, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews and scores of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Florence and Angelo, his sister Angeline (Pilla) Morrison, and his brother Matt Pilla and nephews Donny Pilla, Tom Stewart and Richard Marchio.
The family would like to acknowledge the care and respect John was provided at Ashby Pond’s Maple Grove Memory Care Unit.
John’s Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, November 6, 2015 at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church [46833 Harry Byrd Highway, Sterling, VA 20164]. The family will receive visitors at 10 am prior to the service. Interment will be private. Online condolences may be expressed at: www.loudounfuneralchapel.com.
In lieu of flowers, please make gifts in John’s memory to Ashby Ponds Benevolent Care Fund, [21170 Ashby [Ponds Boulevard, Ashburn, VA 20147], Boys Town [boystown.org/Donate/], Catholic Charities USA [PO Box 17066, Baltimore, MD 21297-1066], or your favorite charity.
“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” ~Francis of Assisi
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