Lifelong New Haven resident John Charles Varrone, Jr. passed away at his Orange Street home on the 30th of April, 2014. He is the son of the late Dr. John Varrone and Anna Varrone. John was born on December 10, 1943. John graduated from Cheshire Academy and later the University of New Haven with a Masters of Business in 1968. He worked for Olin Corporation in the Winchester International Division for 10 years. He also worked for the City of New Haven in the Assessor’s Office for 21 years. John was a member of AFSCME (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees) Local Union No. 884 and an elected member of the City of New Haven Pension Board. He was a Justice of the Peace and a wedding photographer. A member of the Society of St. Mary Magdalena, John was a devoted parishioner of St. Joseph’s Church who served as an elected member of the Parish Council, a member of the Holy Name Society, and a collector every Sunday at the 8:30 morning mass. John’s enduring passion was Olympic lifting and powerlifting, holding many records over the years, including six state records. He was a Connecticut State Champion 15 times. He won the New Englands, the Regionals, the East Coast Open, and the North American Championships in both Olympic lifting and powerlifting. At the time of his passing, he held eleven World Master and two State Master records in powerlifting in different age groups and organizations. John competed in powerlifting for over 50 years and was inducted into the Connecticut Hall of Fame in 2012. John is survived by his brother, Robert Varrone (Verna); nephews Zed Varrone (Jennifer) and John Varrone (Amanda); nieces Alaina Varrone, Cheryl Varrone and Anne Lederle; as well as beloved grandnieces Mathilde and Beatrix Hufford-Varrone, Arianna and Isabella Varrone, and Elizabeth Lederle. He was predeceased by his brother James E. Varrone. John attended mass every day for over 25 years following his brother Jim’s passing in 1989. John will be remembered for his generosity, his vibrant spirit, his devotion to church and the Lord Jesus, and his love for family, friends, his weightlifting “family”, and the East Rock neighborhood and New Haven.
His funeral procession will leave the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue, Monday morning at 8:45. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 9:30 am in St. Joseph’s Church, New Haven. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery. The visiting hours will be Sunday from 2-6 pm. Should friends desire, memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph’s Church 129 Edwards Street, New Haven, CT 06511.
A good man has been called home. My condolences to the family, may God keep them in their time of need.
A GREAT FRIEND AND A GOOD MAN.
HE WILL BE MISSED.
MY CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY
Grew up with John. He was a good friend. Much too soon.
No one can take your place in this world John. Always an admirer. With deep respect Joe
He will be missed by many. My sympathy to his family.
John was like a member of our extended family. He was with us in good times and in sad ones. He will be missed. May he rest in peace.
Carrying on my father's tradition I always called you John Jacob. You had been a part of our family for years. You were always there for us in glad times and in sad times even as recent as three weeks ago when my Mom passed. There you were. I am sure the way you helped everyone and were there for them, heaven was there waiting for you. God bless you John Jacob, rest in peace.
may god bless you john
I am happy to have known you. The gym will not be the same without you. Every time I go to the gym I have noticed I was looking at the door to see if you were coming in. But you are at a new gym and I am sure you will find a crowd to lift in-front of just like you enjoyed doing here on Earth.
Rest in Peace, John, a friend from our grammar school years. You will be missed.
John Varrone, Jr. was a champion in many respects. His congenial personality fostered friendships and comradery. He was admired and loved by many. A true competitor, John was known for his feats of strength and competitive drive. He also served as a role model for athletes , young and old. His mere presence at a weightlifting contest energized competitors and spectators alike. He was the epic powerlifter, the pride of Connecticut. He will always be remembered. We are greatly saddened by his untimely passing. I'm sure he is lifting with the saints right now.
Tara and I will dearly miss a great friend and neighbor. John was the best.
We wish you peace and understanding as you mourn the lost of a love one. May he rest in peace
We will never forget your passion for life, your eagerness to help others, and your deep love for family. You, and your family that you leave behind, will always be in our prayers. Rest in peace, John.
Thankyou so much for being a great friend to my aunt Cindy and god father to my cousin crystal also thankyou for always taking pictures for us and you be missed!
You will always remain the champion lifter I read about in Strength & Health enjoyed talking
To you and your tips on lifting, and seeing you around town R.I.P.
John was my powerlifting coach at the New Haven YMCA in 1982. There were 5 or 6 of us that he used to train. We'd travel around the state together for various meets. John was a great coach and a great guy. He was just fun to be around. Our powerlifting team really did feel like a family as we'd often hang out together even when we weren't training. I credit John for that. Rest In Peace Coach!
John was the walking embodiment of pure energy, vitality, and life. I knew this about John because I worked out with him at the New Haven YMCA for many years. So I witnessed first-hand the lively spirit of John’s presence. No one loved to converse more than John. I mean no one!
John’s physical stature belied his enormous strength. The man could dead-lift, squat, and press weights such that he kept me (and others) in absolute awe. As everyone knows, he had won numerous state-wide weightlifting contests with the flair of a champion which of course he was and remains so.
But beyond his athletic prowess and penchant for weightlifting, when I think of John I remember his passion for people. No one loved being “involved” in social events such as weddings or political gatherings more than John. The man always wanted to make a difference in a way that was good for his community.
And if John was your friend, you counted yourself fortunate because John was there for you 24/7 every step of the way.
RIP, Champ … Tony Lorenti