John J. Socinski

John J. Socinski, 82, of Center Rutland, Vermont, died peacefully February 20, 2021, at home. He was the youngest son of Adam and Eva (Maciag) of West Rutland, Vt.

After graduating from West Rutland High School, John married his best friend and high school sweetheart Janet (Carlson) and settled in Proctor, later moving to Center Rutland.
He spent a great deal of his life in the stone business. He owned and operated McCue Memorial Company and later partnered with his son David in RMG Stone Products in Castleton. In his retirement, he continued to donate his time and expertise to many projects involving military memorials. He was most proud of the West Rutland WWII Veteran’s Memorial and the Essex County War Memorial in Tappahannock Virginia. John followed his passion for love of country and the military, honoring veterans of all wars by planning these war memorials.

John committed himself to public service positions, organizations and projects. One of his favorite local service projects was being a part of Rutland’s Angel of Hope. He served on the Proctor School Board, Rutland Town Select Board, College of St. Joseph's Board of Directors and Rutland Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of Rutland South Rotary for 34 years. He served 20 years in the Vermont National Guard 40th Army Band.

John was a music lover. For many years he traveled with family and friends to the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. He was a patron of the arts supporting the Paramount Theater.

John had great culinary talent and enjoyed sharing and preparing meals for family and friends, including a pig roast event hosted by him and his wife Janet. He was a man of character who led by example and sought fairness strongly. He was a mentor to family and friends.

John is survived by his wife of 64 years, Janet (Carlson), sons, Dr. Mark and his wife Tina (MacGroder), David and his wife Sarah (Szarmach), daughters, Ellie Davine and her husband Bill, and Mary Conti and her husband Tim, grandchildren Audra Socinski Dix (Bryan),

A. Gregory Socinski and Siobhan Philbin, J. Alexander Socinski, Bernie MacGroder III, Miranda Socinski Link (Nolan), Wyatt Socinski, Claudia Szarmach, Troy Davine and Jordan Beaudry, Trey Davine, Benjamin Conti, Grace Conti, great -grand children, Ethan Dix and Axel Link, brothers Henry (Cynthia) Socinski, Leonard Socinski and Erica Burke, brother-in-law Alan Gregory (Monica), and numerous nieces and nephews.

John was predeceased by his son Gregory, siblings Sister Mary Monica (Eleanor), Anthony Socinski, and Monica Gregory.

A funeral mass for family and close friends originally scheduled for St. Peter Church in Rutland on Friday, February 26th at 11 am has been relocated to Immaculate Heart of Mary on Lincoln Avenue in Rutland. A graveside service will be held at Riverside Cemetery in Proctor in the spring and a celebration of life will be held in the summer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Foley Cancer Center, the Open Door Mission or, in the spirit of John’s generosity, send a donation to your favorite charity in his name.

Arrangements are by the Clifford Funeral Home.