NORTH CHATHAM—John Kevin Fanning, 80, passed away February 27, 2025 at his home in North Chatham after a long fight against leukemia. He was surrounded by his wife and family.
He was born in Poughkeepsie. He lived in Newburgh throughout his early school years. He moved to Albany in 1959 and later graduated from Cardinal McCluskey High School in 1963.
He excelled in high school football, track and field. He later graduated from Hudson Valley Community College with an associate’s degree. He married his lovely wife, Fran (Dietz) in 1971 at the cathedral with the ceremony performed by Father Peter Young. They were married more than 50 years. He was a U.S. Army combat veteran serving with the 504th military police battalion throughout the Vietnam II Corps war zone in 1966 and 1967. He and his wife lived in North Chatham for many years. They also enjoyed many summers at their lakeside cottage in Indian Lake. He enjoyed sports, including tennis, hiking, skiing, fishing, hunting, back packing and boating. He was a member of organizations, including the VFW, American Legion, Am-Vets, DAV, the Elks, Hibernians and the 101st Airborne Association. He was a spiritual person, rarely missing Sunday Mass. He was employed with Campito Plumbing and Heating Inc. as a purchase agent for 27 years. He was an enthusiastic football and baseball fan rooting for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Philadelphia Phillies.
He is survived by: his wife, Fran; his sisters, Betty Sullivan (Ray) and Sharon Piegaro (Frank); and many nieces and nephews.
Calling hours were held at the Wm. J. Rockefeller Funeral Home, Inc. 165 Columbia Turnpike, Rensselaer, March 3. A funeral Mass was held at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Loudonville, March 4 followed by burial in the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville.
