Necrology

John Anthony Longeretta '56

Jun. 5, 1934-Apr. 15, 2019

John Anthony Longeretta ’56, an attorney of New Hartford, N.Y., was born in Utica, N.Y., on June 5, 1934, a son of the former Margaret Fernicola and Anthony Longeretta. He was a graduate of T.R. Proctor High School.

At the College, Longeretta was a member of the football team, the Block “H” Club, Debate Club, the French and Italian clubs, and Delta Phi fraternity. He was proud of his athletic accomplishments in football, which culminated with a tryout invitation from the Baltimore Colts, according to a published obituary. He opted instead to pursue the study of law and earned an LL.B. at Syracuse University College of Law in 1959.

Longeretta, a veteran of the U.S. Army who later joined the National Guard, began his law practice in Utica, founding or joining a number of law firms that bore his name; his sons Paul and David later worked with him in what became known as the Longeretta Law Firm. During his career, he was one of the first judicially experienced associate city judges and a member of the State of New York Oneida County Magistrates Association and the Oneida County Bar Association. He onetime served as the chairman of the Town of New Hartford Republican Committee.

Longeretta was a champion of honesty, education, parenthood, and the rewards they render in life, the obituary noted. He also enjoyed his family, golf, racquetball, fishing, traveling, fine dining, and a good cigar.

Longeretta died on April 15, 2019, at the age of 84. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, the former Mirella Paoletti, four children, and seven grandchildren. A cousin was Anthony Fernicola ’42.

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