John Baranoski, Jr.
John Mario Baranoski, Jr.
John M. Baranoski Jr. was born in Waterbury Connecticut on March 23rd 1951, the youngest child of John M. Baranoski Sr. and Antoinette (Maringola) Baranoski. John attended John F. Kennedy High School before leaving early to enlist in the United States Marine Corps in March of 1968, 2 days after his 17th birthday. He served in Vietnam for just two months before he was wounded several times by ‘friendly small arms fire’ in Quan Nam Province on July 19th, 1969. For his bravery and combat service, Pvt. John M. Baranoski Jr. earned the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 1 star, Combat Action Ribbon, Purple Heart, Vietnam Campaign Medal with device, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with palm. After 2 years of struggle to recover from his wounds sustained in Vietnam, he was separated from the USMC when his Good Conduct Medal period commenced, April 2nd 1971. Before he enlisted, John married Darlene Delage on August 21st 1968, and fathered 4 children, John M. Baranoski born in October 1968, Martin G. Baranoski born in November 1970, Tina M. (Baranoski) Sarlo born in January 1972, and Kelli A. (Baranoski) Pilon born in March of 1973. John worked several different jobs as a licensed barber, carpenter, and truck driver until he was no longer able to work due to his wounds suffered in the Vietnam War. On February 22nd, 1993 John suffered a massive heart attack and passed away at the age of 41. At the time of his death, he was deemed a 100% disabled veteran. He was a loving son, brother, and father to all that he left behind in his family. John loved his family and lived his life to the fullest despite the extreme pain that he endured in his personal life following his service in Vietnam. He leaves behind 5 grandchildren who never had the honor or the pleasure to meet their grandfather in person, Amanda Pilon, Rachel Pilon, Vincent Sarlo, Dante Sarlo, Mackenzie Baranoski.