John Vecchiollo
Early Life
John Vecchiollo was born on June 17, 1894, in Italy. He immigrated to the United States and became part of the growing Italian-American community in Rye, New York, residing at 144 Maple Avenue.
Before entering military service, he worked as a laborer, including employment with local nurseries, reflecting the agricultural and landscaping work common among immigrant families in the region.
World War I Service
Vecchiollo registered for the draft in Rye on June 5, 1917, and was later inducted into the United States Army in June 1918 at Local Board No. 6 in Westchester County, New York.
He was assigned to the 152nd Depot Brigade, a training and replacement unit responsible for preparing soldiers for overseas deployment and organizing reinforcements for the American Expeditionary Forces.
He served overseas in France from August 24, 1918, to January 5, 1919, during the final phase of the war and the early occupation period following the Armistice.
Vecchiollo served in the rank of Private and sustained no recorded wounds or injuries in action. He was honorably discharged on January 21, 1919.
Life After Service
Following his military service, Vecchiollo returned to Rye, where he became a long-time resident of the community. He worked as a landscape gardener, continuing in a line of work connected to his earlier employment.
He lived in Rye for more than sixty years and was a member of the Church of the Resurrection, maintaining strong ties to both family and community.
John Vecchiollo died on February 1, 1979, at United Hospital in Port Chester, New York, at the age of 85.
He was survived by his wife, Angelina Girardi Vecchiollo; his daughter, Jean Vecchiollo; and his sisters, Petrina Girardi and Rose Berardi.