John Peradotti, known as Johnnie Joe to one and all, left us at a way-too-young age of 26 in 1967. He had polio as a child, lost a leg in 1965, and died of cancer two years later. He was a medical marvel, yet maintained a positive attitude throughout his brief life.
Adversity, in fact, made him a stronger person. Despite the physical challenges he faced, John always had a smile on his face and possessed a sly sense of humor. Ask any of his friends and they will tell you about the many times they were on the receiving end of one of his countless barbs.
Like many teens in the '50's, John loved cars and knew everything worth knowing about autos. He fed his passion for souped-up cars by religiously attending the Wisconsin drag races.
John was a life-long resident of Highwood and graduated from St. James elementary school prior to his HPHS years.
Year of Death: 1967 (age 26) Cause of Death: Cancer Survived by: Mother, Stella (now deceased)
Oh, how we loved Johnny Joe. He was the typical 50's teenager, in love with cars and girls. His "bad boy" behavior seemed outrageous then (so normal by today's standards) but everyone he knew gravitated toward him and wanted to be a part of who he was. I remember when I got the call (from my dear friend, Pam Lenzi Robert) informing me that he had passed away. It really hit hard. We still talk about him when we get together...he died young but was one of the very special people you meet in a lifetime. It was especially sad seeing his parents so grief stricken. Johnny Joe was an only child.
John and I were in vocational classes together during high school. One time I rode my motorcycle over to his house with no mufflers on it. I pulled in front of the garage making lots of noise. When he came out his dad was walking up the driveway behind me with a uniform on and I thought he was a policeman and I was going to get a ticket; naturally John thought that was really funny. Later I found out that his dad was a guard up at Fansteel. We also worked together at Angie's Shell station in Deerfield, where everyone ooed and awed over his 1960 Pontiac convertible. And, yes, he did die way too young.
Roger Zanarini
John Peradotti, known as Johnnie Joe to one and all, left us at a way-too-young age of 26 in 1967. He had polio as a child, lost a leg in 1965, and died of cancer two years later. He was a medical marvel, yet maintained a positive attitude throughout his brief life.Adversity, in fact, made him a stronger person. Despite the physical challenges he faced, John always had a smile on his face and possessed a sly sense of humor. Ask any of his friends and they will tell you about the many times they were on the receiving end of one of his countless barbs.
Like many teens in the '50's, John loved cars and knew everything worth knowing about autos. He fed his passion for souped-up cars by religiously attending the Wisconsin drag races.
John was a life-long resident of Highwood and graduated from St. James elementary school prior to his HPHS years.
Year of Death: 1967 (age 26)
Cause of Death: Cancer
Survived by: Mother, Stella (now deceased)
Karen Cheli (Sullivan)
Oh, how we loved Johnny Joe. He was the typical 50's teenager, in love with cars and girls. His "bad boy" behavior seemed outrageous then (so normal by today's standards) but everyone he knew gravitated toward him and wanted to be a part of who he was. I remember when I got the call (from my dear friend, Pam Lenzi Robert) informing me that he had passed away. It really hit hard. We still talk about him when we get together...he died young but was one of the very special people you meet in a lifetime. It was especially sad seeing his parents so grief stricken. Johnny Joe was an only child.William Wachholder
John and I were in vocational classes together during high school. One time I rode my motorcycle over to his house with no mufflers on it. I pulled in front of the garage making lots of noise. When he came out his dad was walking up the driveway behind me with a uniform on and I thought he was a policeman and I was going to get a ticket; naturally John thought that was really funny. Later I found out that his dad was a guard up at Fansteel. We also worked together at Angie's Shell station in Deerfield, where everyone ooed and awed over his 1960 Pontiac convertible. And, yes, he did die way too young.