Giovanni Latona

Giovanni Latona

Giovanni "John" Latona lived his life making wonderful memories and friendships to cherish.

He grew up in Little Italy where he made friends of a lifetime with memories of backyard baseball and football games, climbing neighborhood fruit trees for lunch, tagging along with his big sister, and working with his parents an La Nuova Aurora where he earned his name "Pearl Diver" for washing dishes. He graduated from Tech Memorial in 1978 where he met more friends of a lifetime. John loved sharing stories of his days in Cosmetology getting his hair done and hanging out with the girls he adored.

He followed in his friend Joe's footsteps and enrolled in the Navy. He was proud of his time serving aboard the U.S.S. Blue Ridge where he made more friends and traveled the world.

Then came the band days. Oh! the friends, memories, and never-ending stories that were made during this time of his life. John owned and operated a flooring business by day and rocked out by night - every night. He loved music and all the musicians he met along the way, many of whom became life-time friends for him. He loved the feeling of being part of a band and his incredible singing voice was his contribution to many of them. He got such a thrill out of performing in front of crowds and making others have pure fun. He was the party.

Just as much as being part of a band, he loved being part of a team in football. This is where he created some of the deepest bonds with some very special guys. Almost every single friend he made during his football days stayed his brother to the end.

John also created innumerous memories with his family. The bonds he shares with his family go beyond space and time. Just as he was the life of the party with his friends, he was also with his family. His goal was his family's happiness and he achieved that goal every day. He always had a surprise up his sleeve that was going to be fun for the whole family. He loved planning vacations and his annual Latona Family and Friends Golf Outing and Pick-a-Nic. John spent the whole year preparing for this outing because it was his way of creating happy memories for his family and friends. Because all the friends he made were his family too.

John was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Vita Caravaglia Latona.

He is survived by people who were honored to be part of his life; his wife, Christine (will forever be his girl); his children, Giovanni Latona, Elizabeth (Walter) Drissel, and Jason (Lindsey) Meahl; his four grandchildren; his sister, Pina Zimmet; his nephews, Eric (Becca) Zimmet and Brandon Zimmet; his great-niece, Katelynn; and many cousins. He is also survived by his extended family of his wife's brothers and sisters and their spouses and children who loved him dearly.

John, you loved us so much while you were here that we will feel it and love you back forever.

Family and friends are invited to call at the John R. Orlando Funeral Home, Inc., 2122 Raspberry Street, Erie, PA on Saturday November 27, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service there at 4:00 p.m.