John Quatrocchi

John J. Quattrocchi ("BigBadJohnnyQ"), 80, died peacefully on July 21, 2014, from complications of COPD.
He was born in Akron and graduated from Central High, where he competed in the Akron Soap Box Derby, played football, boxed, and was the class president and Y-Teen King. John married his sweetheart whom he met in 8th grade, Dorothy Eileen Johnson, and they had 3 daughters.

John loved fast-pitch softball and started playing at the age of 13 in the Police Athletic League. As a first baseman, he was known for his hustle, in-field chatter, and speed in running the bases. Throughout his career, he played on several championship teams, including the Akron Nationals, Louie's Pizza House, Johnny's Towing, Jednota Club, Mariolas Associates, and Tramonte Black Labels. John also competed in exhibitions at the Mansfield Reformatory and against the "King & His Court" and California's famous "Compton Cuties." In 2002, he was inducted into Akron's Amateur Softball Hall of Fame.

Early in his career, John worked at Long's Funeral Home, Akron Ambulance, West Hill Grocery, Firestone Tire & Rubber, Spang Bakery, Fawick Flexi-Grip, and O'Neil's department store. In the mid-80s, John became part owner of Roll-A-Way Lanes in Ellet where he gained countless cherished friends. An avid bowler who earned a coveted 300 ring, he also co-hosted a local bowling television show, "Pot of Gold." After Roll-A-Way closed, John and Eileen began working part-time at campgrounds in Sandusky OH and Clewiston FL before retiring to Okeechobee FL in 2001. Following the loss of his beloved wife, John returned to his hometown in 2013.

John is survived by children, Dolli (Harvey) Quattrocchi Gold, Kathy (Henry "Bub") Adams, and Tina (Wesley "Roy") Berisford. He leaves grandchildren John (Emily) Berisford, Gayle (Kristoffer) Carter, Anthony Berisford, Meghan (Kirk) Olmstead, James (Jennifer) Smith, Jessica (Michael) Merrill, Gina (Matthew) Shroyer, and Elizabeth (Joseph) Crutchley; 12 great-grandchildren; sisters Margaret (James) Markham, Nancy Cheatham, and Thelma (Edward) Dodson; many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Eileen, parents John & Helen (Yetsko) Quattrocchi, sister Helen Speelman, and brother Robert Quattrocchi.

John was a charming man with a captivating smile; he will be greatly missed.

The family would like to thank the kind staff at Copley Place as well as the AGMC Cardiovascular ICU staff, in particular Patrick Garvey, RN.

Family and friends of John & Eileen may call Monday, 6 to 8 p.m. at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd. Cremation has taken place; a private inurnment for the immediate family will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Hospice of Okeechobee (411 SE 4th Street, Okeechobee, FL 34972 or www.hospiceofokeechobee.org ).