John D’Angelo, 49,  of Mechanicsville died suddenly June 3, 2007 at home with his loving wife of 22 years by his side. Preceded in death by his father Frederick D’Angelo, Long Beach, NY, Police Officer and Firefighter. Survived by, his mother Dorothy  D’Angelo of  Island Park, NY  Also survived by his wife Denine and their children: Fredrick, Marie, Gina, Serena, and Johnny D’Angelo. Dear Aunts, Uncles, cousins, and nephews.

John was employed by Advantage Sales and Marketing working on the Unilever Dedicated Retail Team.

John will be remembered by the many families of the men, women and children he refereed in ice and roller hockey as a member of USA Hockey, MLRH, RHOA, SHOA NCMACHOA, NIHOA, He is also remembered by the families and children and fellow umpires from Atlee Little League, Mechanicsville Little League, AAU, CUA  MROS, IND, ODUA, VHLBB and CUA.

 
After 16 years of Jesuit education at Long Beach Catholic School, Saint Pius Prep School and Marquette University, John put his education to work as a young journalist working at a Long Island weekly newspaper where he met his wife. John later became the public relations director for the March of Dimes, where he had a chance to interact with children and families for which he had a great deal of compassion.. He was able to bring happiness to them with his outgoing and quick witted fun personality, which he continued to do throughout his life. While working there John founded WheelAmerica, to give people with disabilities the chance to become active while helping others through their own strengths and pride of showing the community how capable they were in participating in the Wheelchair race event raising funds to help people like themselves. When it was time to move on John stood with his family watching a parade on Memorial Day, and lobbied for the job he wanted by holding up a sign reading “HIRE A PR PRO”. The City Council members took notice and John became the Public Relations Director for the City of Long Beach NY, the city by the sea, where he grew up and loved. John was an active member of the Long Beach Democrat club and a Long Beach Auxiliary Police officer. John goal tended on the NY Apple Core Men’s hockey team and the Park Ave Café Hockey Team. He coached the Long Beach High School Hockey Team, where he won coach of the year award. John also played softball in the men’s league in Long Beach NY.

In 1994 John and his family moved to Virginia and began work as the Public Relations director for the National Kidney Foundation, once again being helpful to families in need and bringing them his charismatic cheer. After two years he jumped at the chance to become the public relations director for “The Virginia Vultures,” a minor Roller hockey team that played their home games at the Richmond Coliseum, John had a lot of fun getting to work professionally in the atmosphere he enjoyed so much.

John continued to referee hockey and mentor his son Freddie to do the same. And later began to umpire baseball and softball, the game he also loved and knew so well. He stopped briefly for half a season after a heart attack and bypass surgery 2 years ago, then John was back umpiring and refereeing again. He enjoyed life to the fullest while touching so many on his path. Service was held on June 6 and 7 at Bennett Funeral home on Lee-Davis Road in Mechanicsville.

         Safely Home

I am home in heaven, dear ones; Oh so happy and so bright!
There is perfect joy and beauty In this everlasting light.
 
All the pain and grief is over, Every restless tossing passed;
            I am now at peace forever, Safely home in heaven at last.
 
Did you wonder how I so calmly Trod the valley of the shade?
Oh, but Jesus' love illumined Every dark and fearful glade.
 
And he came himself to meet me In that way so hard to tread;
            And with Jesus' arm to lean on, Could I have one doubt or dread?

Then you must not grieve so sorely, For I love you dearly still;
Try to look beyond earth's shadows, Pray to trust our Father's will.

There is work still waiting for you,  So you must not idly stand;
 Do it now, while life remains, You shall rest in Jesus' land.

 When that work is all completed, He will gently call you home;
Oh, the rapture of that meeting, Oh, the joy to see you come!