John L. Del Corpo, Sr.
August 18, 1961 – February 10, 2006

Delivered by Nick Del Spina February 16, 2006

Johnny cherished fatherhood and it was a side of him we never saw coming. What a wonderful, caring and concerned, parent this tough guy from the streets became to all of his children. How each child came into Johnny's life was not an issue. John always said proudly I have 8 children. Deanna, you gave John his first grandchild, and soon after Donald gave him two more. Which made him a very proud grandfather. Jill- I know how proud John was to give you away at your wedding, he felt honored to be called your dad. Audra...you always made it your personal challenge to beat Jill out on Father's day. It was a battle to see who would make him cry first. Crystal, I will always remember your Dad driving around in his tow truck with you as a baby...he was so proud to show you off. Johnny Boy - you are your father's son. He taught you well and you will be strong like him. Angela - how proud your dad was of you to be the first to go away to college and how he cried when you left. Nicky the youngest of the bunch, how proud John was of his football star.

As everyone knows John was into tattoos. His eyeball on his head gave him the "johnny eyeball" name. He said he did that so when he repo'd someone's car and they looked out their peep hole to see who it was , he would turn his head sideways so all they would see was a giant eyeball looking back at them. Every tattoo on John's body was not simply ink. It was artwork created to memorialize a moment in his life. Some represented the trials and tribulations that he had been through, some were loved ones lost, others were celebrations like the birth of his grandkids. His body became a road map of his life. To sit and stare at them would be to stare into John's soul.

As intimidating a guy as he could be, and of course to look at him most adults would be apprehensive about ever approaching him. But he was a gentle giant. As tough as he looked children did not fear him. You see children have the unique ability to look past the shell and only see the inside. Just last summer, he was running errands in town and 3 little girls were riding their bikes. He said they were about 7,6, & 5. The traffic was crazy and he didn't like seeing them try to cross the street without any help. So he pulled over , got out of his car and walked each one across the street. Instead of being afraid of this stranger the littlest one thanked him and said "Mister, I like the sunflower on your head."

But all that aside, remember John was tough as nails. The repo business was his life. He was the best in his field. There wasn't a car he couldn't get. Everybody who is delinquent in their payments is probably breathing a sigh of relief right now thinking they can slide for a while. But I warn you, Johnny may be gone but his family lives on.

John loved his family. He and Patty raised their children as a team. Not only were these two partners in business they were partners in life. He loved Patty down to the core. Patty and the kids were everything to him. All summer you could see them at the lake on the boat. Johnny always had someone with him. Whether it was a grandchild, a friend, his brother, or even someone else's child. He loved everyone and would do anything for a friend.

I could call John day or night and I knew he would be there for me. When my father died John was there for me. Anytime I needed a friend to discuss business or personal stuff I knew I could turn to him. I didn't just lose a friend, I lost the brother that I always wanted.

Johnny Del Corpo was truly an amazing man. As you look around, you can see how many people truly admired, respected and loved him. As he leaves, he leaves behind Patty, his children and grandchildren and his brothers and sister , all people that will keep his spirit alive and his memory will continue on forever.