John Paul Cagnetta

John Paul Cagnetta went home to take his place in Heaven on August 2^nd, 2024.  He passed peacefully two weeks short of his ninety-second birthday.

Born and raised in Brooklyn NY, where he met his wife of 69 years, Rena (Ginocchio) at a dance, while he was earning a bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Brookly Polytechnic. After they married, they moved to Oak Ridge, Tennessee where John trained as a nuclear engineer as part of the Atoms for Peace Program.   John then served in the US Army, achieving the rank of Captain. He was very proud of his service to our country. Upon completion of his service, they returned to Brooklyn where John received his doctorate in Chemical Engineering from Polytechnic University of New York.  Eventually he accepted a position at Northeast Utilities in Connecticut, settling in Wethersfield where he and Rena raised their family. He rose to the leadership position of Sr. Vice President and attended the Harvard University Advanced Management Program.  After retiring, John went on to become Dean of the School of Engineering at the University of Hartford. But his love for academics would not allow him to fully retire and he then became President of the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering.

Although he achieved much success and earned numerous titles in his professional life none of those meant as much to him as the titles of Husband, Father, Grandfather and Friend.  His love, his quiet lessons, his smile, his laughter, changed the life of everyone who was fortunate enough to know him. He always put others first and his generosity knew few bounds.  Often described as the “consummate gentlemen” John was soft spoken, humble and optimistic.  He served as a mentor for numerous people in all walks of life and relished developing personal relationships.  When he engaged you in conversation, he had a way of making you feel like the most important person in the room.  He was truly a servant leader who set an amazing example of what it means to be a man.  His quiet strength, faith in God, and love of family and country inspired others to follow his example.

John loved being active and he played golf, skied and traveled extensively.  He and his wife Rena spent their retirement years in Vero Beach Florida where he exercised regularly until he was close to ninety.

John leaves behind his wife of 69 years Rena with whom he shared three children, six grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

His family would like to thank the staff and caregivers at Sonata Senior Living, Garden View Health and Rehabilitation and VNA Hospice of Vero Beach for the loving care they provided him.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice Foundation Inc. www.vnatc.org

Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.