Mr. John R. LaValla

Utica – Mr. John R. LaValla, 62, of Utica passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, February 28, 2023 in his home with his beloved loyal fiancé Mary Bonacci at his side.

He was born in Utica, New York on March 12, 1960, the son of the late Carmen and Patricia Silvernail LaValla.  John attended Utica schools and graduated from Proctor High School with the class of 1977. He later received a degree as a paralegal. He attended Living Hope Christian Church, Albany. 

To those who knew and loved him he was a kind man, even through the most difficult times in his life. John would go out of his way to help someone in need. He was a fantastic chef and had a meticulous way about how he up kept his kitchen. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and to them he was affectionately as Poppa John. Through his younger years John fought many battles, in later years he found comfort in his personal relationship with the Lord. Asking for forgiveness to all he may hurt in life. He only hoped the People he may have hurt along the way have forgiven him as his lord and Savior did.

John is survived by his children, Sakunda LaValla and his beloved grandson, Charlie of Rochester, Nicole Caramadre and her three children of Whitesboro. John LaValla and his fiancée, Theresa Levadoti and their three children Lilianna, Antonio, Dominick of Rome and Robert LaValla and his wife Ariana and their two children Robert Jr. and Jayden all of Puerto Rico; two sisters, Renee (Michael) Cardone of Marcy and Gina LaValla (the late Ron Horton) of New Hartford;

 John also leaves to mourn his fiancé, Mary Bonacci, Mary’s children, Marc and Christy Bonacci and their children, Isabella, Sophia and Anthony, Rachyl Newton and Gianna Rose Follano; his in laws, Sandra Rose George, Yousif George, Michael George, Anthony George and Nancy George and many nieces, nephews and cousins. A special cousin Ron Collici.   He was predeceased by his brother, Robert LaValla and his “mother in law,” Catherine Petzoldt.
  

Calling hours will be Saturday, March 11 from 12:00 noon to 2:00. His funeral will commence at the VJ Iocovozzi Funeral Home, Inc. 203 Second Ave., Frankfort at 2 PM with the Reverend Vince Finnegan officiating.

Expressions of sympathy may be placed on John’s online memorial page by going to www.iocovozzifuneralhomes.com