John Francis Mileo, the younger of two sons of John Michael Mileo and Evelyn Rose Mileo (nee Gionta) was born on October 23, 1947 in a Brooklyn, N.Y. hospital that has since been demolished. Perhaps, his mother's teasing about "how once the hospital administrators saw baby John's face, they felt the need to tear it down," may have been what triggered John's sarcastic humor which became part of his persona throughout this life; that plus the further influence of his father's great sense of humor.
John's earliest years were spent living in a rented basement apartment in Rego Park, N.Y. in Queens County, one of New York City's five boroughs. He attended public schools there until 1964, the year that his parents decided to move to Long Island to purchase their first house. The fact that he would have to finish his High School senior year at a different school at first, did not sit well with John. But within a short time thereafter, he began to enjoy surbia, with its close access to Long Island's beautiful beaches and somewhat slower lifestyle...at least when compared to THE BIG APPLE!
Upon graduation from H.S., John decided against attending college and immediately started working in a clerical role in Manhattan for a large insurance company. With the Vietnam War's troop escalation, and his selective service 1-A classification status, he was surely a target for the draft. With this concern in mind, his father persuaded John to join the United States Marine Corps Reserves, which he did for a six-year stint, which was reduced by a year as a result of his return to active-duty status for three days resulting from the US Postal Workers strike of 1970.
His career initially found him testing the waters within various office work disciplines until he finally found his true niche in the field of procurement. This is where he spent over four decades working for several major corporations and finally within the government contracting arena in the Washington DC region. John had moved to Northern Virginia in 1998 for reasons of love, but ultimately wound up "loving" the Commonwealth of Virginia even more!
He began taking on various volunteer community services positions, within his own community in Lansdowne, VA and also for the Loudoun County government where he ultimately secured the position of Chair of the Courthouse Grounds & Facilities Committee.
John oftentimes found himself championing a number of social causes within his beloved county. He successfully petitioned the Town of Leesburg Council to change what was once referred to as "THE HOLIDAY TREE," to "THE CHRISTMAS TREE." On a somewhat similar theme, he became one of the loudest voices in support of the inclusion of the Creche on the Loudoun County courthouse lawn's Christmas display; an effort that he ultimately achieved via his many addresses before the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors and his letters to the editor of the local press.
John struggled through a number of failed marriages, however the first of which bore him two beautiful children, a daughter, Deana and a son, Douglas and as a result he is the proud grandfather of seven grandchildren. With his longing for a warmer climate and being closer to the beach, he ultimately decided to relocate to Chesapeake, VA. Chesapeake being just a stone's throw from Virginia Beach is a venue he truly loves. John soon fell in love with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra where he served as a volunteer usher.
A significant life-alternating event happened to John in October, 2009 when he
had succumbed to a pulmonary embolism which caused him to flat-line for fifteen minutes, before he was restored to life. A life that he thought might have to be spent in a wheelchair, since this event caused his legs to atrophy. However, after six weeks of hospitalization, he got back the use of his legs and also now was able to go through his remaining life with a far better view of it than ever before and a
desire to help people in any manner he could .
As John entered his eighth decade of life he found himself facing several serioushealth issues and ultimately he succumbed to lung surgery with complications leading to COVID-19 which led to his demise on August 18th, 2020.John leaves behind his daughter Deana and son Douglas along with his seven grandchildren: Ashley, Madison, Alex, Tylah, Arianna, Kylie and Cristian.
~ The staff of James Funeral Home would like to thank you
for the honor and privilege of serving your family
and with our most sincere condolences and continued support to you. ~
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of James Funeral Home, 540 Broadway, Massapequa, New York.
Because we care. To help ensure the health and well-being of our associates and the families we serve:
- 35 Quests Capacity in the Chapel and seating 6 feet apart
- Guests are to refrain from visiting if they feel unwell or have a fever
- Wearing a face covering is required
- Maintain Social Distance
- All facility areas and surfaces are sanitized before and after services or gatherings.
- Every associate will wear a mask at all times.
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