John Joseph Aceto Jr.

John Joseph Aceto, Jr., 83, (1932-2015) a resident of Cape Elizabeth for 47 years, passed away with family by his side on April 13, 2015. The son of John Joseph Aceto, Sr. and Maria Ciccarelli, he was born in Portland, Maine on August 13, 1931, one of 9 children. John married Marie A. Doucette, also from Portland, on September 13,1952. For 62 years he was the love of my life, my best friend, my rock and my hero, said Marie.

John is survived by two brothers, Ralph Aceto of South Portland and Albert Aceto of Tequesta, Florida, and a sister, Lena Walsh of Portland.

John and Marie have five children, Gayl Horton and husband Dave from Mission Viejo, CA., Kathryn Aceto of Arroyo Grande, CA., John J. Aceto III and wife Lori from Cape Elizabeth, Paul Aceto and wife Debra of Scarborough and Robert Aceto of Cape Elizabeth.

John was also blessed with 8 grandchildren, Jacqueline Horton-Guy, Maria Horton-Newkirk, Grant Aceto, Lauren Aceto, Matthew Aceto, Sierra Aceto, Nicholas Aceto, Jack Aceto and two great-grandchildren, Landon Newkirk, and Abigail Guy. John cherished his children and grand-children and proudly boasted of their accomplishments at every opportunity.

John graduated from Portland High School in 1949 and began his career in sales with Tom McAnn Shoe as an assistant manager. LaRosa Macaroni soon recruited him before being lured away to Morton International. John spent 18 years with Morton International and was a natural salesman, consistently breaking open new markets and eventually achieving national recognition for his record breaking sales efforts. John also owned and managed Glaziers Wholesale, which later became Northeast Distributors. However, real estate development was the exploit for which he was most passionate and enjoyed the greatest success. He bought and renovated a variety of rental properties, and or developed land for several condominium projects over the course of 20 years. Some of these he kept and managed as income property.

John was a faithful communicant of St. Bartholomew’s Church in Cape Elizabeth for 45 years and served on the parish council, two building committees, the choir, and played Santa Claus at Christmas parties for developmentally disabled adults. John also loved to cook for his family or anyone who was fortunate enough to stumble into his kitchen.

Relatives and friends may call at the Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St. Portland, Thursday from 5-7 PM. Prayers will be recited Friday at 10am at the funeral home to be followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am at St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church, Two Lights Rd., Cape Elizabeth. Burial will follow in New Calvary Cemetery, So. Portland. If desired, contributions in John’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1 Bowdoin Mill Island, Topsham, Me. 04086. Please visit www.jonesrichhutchins for further information and to sign John’s guestbook.