Obituary of John Edward Tallon

John Edward Tallon, a good man in deed and in word, died on January 1, 2011. John was born February 9, 1925 to John James Tallon and Catherine Seery Tallon in New York, New York. John was predeceased by his sister Helen DiPaolo and is survived by his brother Thomas Tallon and sister Eileen Mc Donald. John is survived by Jean Veronica Tallon, mother of their eight children: Michael Tallon of Pittsford, New York; Christine Caporelli of Queensbury, New York; Susan Tallon-Hicks of Worthington, Massachusetts; Daniel Tallon of Placitas, New Mexico; Anne Tallon of Keene, New Hampshire; Veronica Tallon of Brenham, Texas; Katherine Tallon of Poughkeepsie, New York; and Matthew Tallon of Bastrop, Texas. John also leaves his grandchildren John Charmelo, Daniel Charmelo, Sophia Tallon, Julie Trombley, Jeanette Trombley, Sean Maue-Tallon, Keith Maue-Tallon, Emilia Maue-Tallon, Yana Tallon-Hicks, and Rory Tallon-Hicks and his great-grandchildren Gavin Trombley and Natalie Grunwald. His nieces and nephews include the special and kind Kathleen Hancock as well as Judith MacDonald, Charlie Kenny, and Robert Maroney. John's Roman Catholic faith strengthened him throughout his entire life. John's accomplishments included his naval service. He enlisted when he was 17 years old and served from 1942 to 1946. This motor torpedo boat on which he served as quartermaster patrolled the Irish and North Seas and English Channel. Lifelong acquaintances included the members of his crew and his captain on PT 520. John valued education and scholarship. He attended Bishop Loughlin on academic scholarship. He used the G.I. Bill to graduate from Pace University and New York University with degrees in business administration and mechanical engineering, respectively, while raising his growing family and working full time. He modeled the importance of education for his children. As a boy John was fascinated watching from the open lots in his Corona neighborhood the bi-planes turning cartwheels over the 1939 World's Fair in Flushing Meadow. He dreamed to fly them. At about 42, he learned to pilot small aircraft and flew them for over 25 years. Big-band jazz music from the 40s and 50s made his blue eyes shine brighter. His whirlwind dancing always spun a broad smile even broader. John and Jean, as honeymooners, first visited the Rangeley Lakes Region of Maine in 1950 and the region remained close to his heart throughout his life. He returned there with his family on several occasions and at about age 70 learned to downhill ski at the region's Saddleback Mountain. John shared the last five years of his wonderful life with his son Michael, Michael's partner, Shirley Reiser, and Michael's three children Sean, Keith, and Emilia. John's transition from Texas, where he lived for 30 years, was aided by his beloved son, Matthew and his Danette and Ashley. Our family graciously acknowledges the wonderful and close community at Pinehurst Senior Community in Honeoye Falls, New York which made his life joyful and rich and the caring and kind staff of Building 7 at the Veterans Affairs Canandaigua Medical Center who imbued his last days with peace and dignity. Marylu Gleeson, John's competent and caring physician throughout, brought levity to every house call and talked his language. The family especially values Sharon Barrett of Rush whose exceptional and sustained care of John's daily needs and her attention to his comfort and well being over the past years will be remembered always. His children will remember their father for encouraging their independence, their integrity and for them to practice charity in every act towards every person in life. Tom, speaking with the love of a brother and summoning his lifelong experience as a NYPD cop on the beat --- said simply "Johnny is the most legitimate guy I know." All in the family remember his delight when consuming ---- almost always in moderation --- Breyer's vanilla ice cream and Hershey's chocolate bars. So, John's spot in heaven better have a large dance floor, a big band that can rip a Benny Goodman tune and, of course, a little travelling music, Sammy. They'll be plenty of smiling people who love to dance and who love him --- as we do --- for all his goodness. There will be no prior calling. His Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, January 6, 2011 at 10 am at St. Paul of the Cross Church, 37 Monroe Street, Honeoye Falls. Burial with Military Honors in St. Paul of the Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the Veteran's Outreach Center in Rochester, New York www.veteransoutreachcenter.org