John W. Axton

CHICOPEE- John W. Axton Sr., 91, a life long Chicopee resident, entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 in Holyoke Medical Center. He was born in Chicopee on October 28, 1919, a son of the late Benjamin and Mary (Meldrum) Axton. He was a Communicant of St. Patrick's Church and a life member of the Knights of Columbus. John was a U.S. Army WWII veteran obtaining the rank of Private First Class. He was a self employed ceramic tile installer for many years, retiring in 1982, and had worked previously for the Brick Layers Union in Springfield. John was predeceased by his wife, Florence (Fazio) Axton in 1983; and two sons, John Axton Jr., and Thomas Axton. He is survived by his four children, Mary Ann Mayo and her husband Ken of Enfield, CT, Janet Tota and her husband Riccardo, Dr. William Axton and his wife Susan, and Michael Axton, all of Chicopee; a former daughter-in-law, Debra Antaya of Chicopee; 10 grandchildren, Susan, David, Robert, Kristyne, Kimberly, Benjamin, Jonathan, Brandon, Derek, and Kaitlyn; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. A funeral home services will be held on Saturday, April 2nd at 11 a.m. in the Tylunas Funeral Home, 159 Broadway St., Chicopee. John's family will receive relatives and friends at the gathering prior to the service from 9:30-11 a.m. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in John's memory to the Soldier's Home in Holyoke, 110 Cherry St., Holyoke, MA 01040. For directions, online condolences or to share a memory or photo, visit John's personal webpage at tylunasfuneralhome.com. Tylunas Funeral Home (413) 592-0148