John Galante

John Galante went to Heaven to be with the Lord and his loved ones. He was born Ignazio Galante in Margherita Di Savoia, a small town on the Adriatic coast of Italy. At the age of nine, he left school to work in a tailoring shop, helping support his family during difficult times.

At sixteen, he struck out on his own, moving to Milan to study tailoring. He earned a degree in the Tailoring Arts, then completed two years of mandatory military service in the Italian Air Force. Afterward, he set his sights on America.

He arrived in Philadelphia with little more than determination. He worked three jobs—one as a singing waiter—slept on a cot in the back of a barbershop, and taught himself to read, write, and speak English.

There, he met the love of his life, Elda DiMichele. After a seven-month courtship, they married in April 1963. Soon after their daughter Concetta was born, they left Philadelphia and began a remarkable journey together—one that became our family’s American Dream.

Dad took a job at Greif Companies, starting at a sewing machine. Through grit and persistence, he rose to Section Supervisor, then Plant Manager. In 1972, he became a proud American citizen. Eventually, he was promoted to Vice President of Production and Quality Control. With every move and every challenge, he and Mom remained an unstoppable team—taking our family from poverty to prosperity.

In the 1990s, Dad shifted from production to clothing design. Even after retiring at 70, he launched his own freelance design company, always creating, always moving forward.

But Dad wasn’t just a worker—he was an artist in many forms. He sang in church and for charity. He danced with grace. He painted, wrote poetry, and played soccer with college students well into his later years. He loved golf, learning, and pushing himself into new experiences. He lived life with courage and heart.

He taught us what it means to lead with compassion, to work with integrity, and to live with purpose. He gave us values to live by: courage, kindness, accountability, and reflection. He set the standard for our family—and we carry that standard proudly into the future.

He was our leader. Our hero. Our dad. And we are forever grateful for the life he built and the legacy he leaves behind.

John is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Elda; his daughter, Concetta; his son, Joseph; his grandchildren, Tiana, Isabel, and Johnathan; and his great-grandchildren, Juliana and Joel.

A heartfelt thank you to the staff at The Overlook for your care and compassion during Dad’s final days. And to Mom and Dad’s neighbors in Athens—your help and kindness during a difficult time showed us the true meaning of community. Thank you.

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home EAST has been entrusted with arrangements.