Beloved husband and father, John J. Vagnoni, passed away on April 15, 2024, at 93 years. John was born in Kenosha, WI to Enrico and Ermelinda Vagnoni.
A lifelong resident of Kenosha and Pleasant Prairie, John was educated in Kenosha schools and a was member of St Therese Catholic Church. He was employed at Nash Motors for 2 years and employed as a machinist with Tri-Clover for 37 years. He was also their Union Steward.
John proudly served his country in the Korean War from 1953 to 1955 earning the rank of Sargeant.
John had many talents and interests including his time as Co-Founder and Corps Director of the Kingsmen Drum and Bugle Corps along with Corps President Robert Fornero. John was part of the Junker Ball Post 1865 Corps and a Kingsmen corps snare drummer.
Another lifelong interest of John’s was his gift for restoring cars. He was founder of the Baker Park Car Show with friend Lou Rugani, and the founder of Vintage Auto Group with friend Jerry Boyd. He enjoyed collecting and restoring many old cars and gas pumps. One of his cars, a 1942 Cadillac, appeared in the movie The Last Great Ride with scenes shot in Kenosha.
John was well known as a huge Green Bay Packers fan having made multiple trips to Lambeau Field.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Janet Mae (Freitag) Vagnoni, and his son John Dean Vagnoni.
Survivors include his daughter Susan (Vagnoni) Murphy and grandsons, Alexander Vagnoni Murphy and Nicholas Vagnoni Murphy.
Visitation will take place on Tuesday April 23, 2024, at Proko Funeral Home from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM, with services at 1:00 PM. Interment will follow at All Saints Cemetery, 3300 Springbrook Rd, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158, with military honors starting at 2:00 PM.
