Obituary of John Joseph Abbatelli

John “Sonny” Abbatelli passed away January 5th, 2025 surrounded by loved ones following a hard fight with cancer. He stood tall, and ensured he would face the challenge in his way.

To his parents, Margaret “Peggy” Abbatelli (nee Bush) and Joe Abbatelli Sr., he had a heart of gold, with noted authenticity and stubbornness. The eldest of four, Sonny held a role of both the protector and a close confidant. To his siblings, Lisa Caruso (Joe), Joe Abbatelli (Lisajo), and Chris Abbatelli, he was referred to as the “Gentle Giant”, capturing his large heart next to his raspy voice. He was the father to John Abbatelli Jr., Lucas Hildenbrand, and Emily Nerosa (Alex Arroyo), and a father figure to many others throughout his life. He provided advice and support, accompanied by “Can I get you anything?” any chance he had. He was a grandfather to Alexis Abbatelli, and will be remembered for years to come in peanut butter cookies that she will make with the utmost care. He was an uncle to Melissa Wentzel (Matthew), Angela Pietryka (Adam), Kimberly Mason (Patrick), Ashley Sweeney (Kyle), Anthony (Julianna), Jazzlyn, Joanna, Christopher, Dominic, and Vincent, and was a familiar face for the funniest moments and the largest hugs. A cousin and a friend to many, Sonny provided laughs and stories lasting decades, being shared and trickled down to loved ones, and their loved ones. He was a fiance to his partner, Karen Lent, who refers to him as the love of her life, and then some. He was a man with a heart large enough to fit all of those around him, quick to lend a hand, or the shirt off his back.

Sonny’s interests were as diverse as his life story. He found peace in fishing, and explained this was both calculated and effortless for him. He often found interest in work, but due to the feeling of help that he could provide for people he knew; a way in which many of his friendships began. He found unparalleled joy in gifting to those around him, small trinkets that would bring that person to mind, and let them know they were in his. This may come in the form of a tool, an etched bottle, a nostalgic toy, or in times of creativity, an art piece he had made himself, forging items together.

For many years, Sonny worked diligently in the HVAC field as an HVAC technician, working for companies such as 7 Oil Plus, Discount Oil, and Eagles HVAC Services. Through his work, he was able to establish connections and friendships with those of whom he helped.

As we bid farewell to Sonny, let us remember his open-hearted perseverance, his gentle resiliency, his spirited stubbornness, and above all else his genuine individuality epitomized best by his distinctive eyebrows.

Let us remember his strength, but never exclude the full heart which fueled it. May we take comfort in knowing he is reunited with countless friends and loved ones and being wrapped in the arms of his mother, Peggy Abbatelli (nee Bush), and son, John Abbatelli Jr.