Mayor John R., son of Nicola Armellino and Emillia di Rito, husband of Nina Ritchik, died September 17, 2004, after a long illness. Born February 21,1921, in West New York, where he grew up and lived most of his working life. He moved to North Palm Beach, FL in 1982.

A graduate of New York Military Academy, finishing second in his class and earning 12 varsity letters. He was a student at Virginia Military Institue when he entered WWII as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. He was a veteran of the Algerian, French Moroccan, Tunisian and Sicilian Campaigns. He was the Commanding Officer of Company "L", one of eight companies to land on Omaha Beach in the initial combat wave of the Normandy Invasion. He lost his right leg as a result of injuries sustained on D-Day. He retired from active duty as a Major in 1946.

After WWII, he graduated from New York University in 1950 and entered the world of politics. He served as Commissioner of West New York for 20 years, Mayor of West New York for 16 years and Freeholder of Hudson County for 12 years. His administration was noted for its commitment to the community through urban renewal and developemnt. He was also a restaurateur from 1946-1983, an owner of the Park Casino in West New York and The Pub in Middletown, NJ. He was a communicant of Madonna della Libera Parish, West New York.

He was predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Nina Ritchik. Surviving are three children, Barbara, John and Nicholas.

Info furnished by FAG Contributor Richard H.

Mayor John R., son of Nicola Armellino and Emillia di Rito, husband of Nina Ritchik, died September 17, 2004, after a long illness. Born February 21,1921, in West New York, where he grew up and lived most of his working life. He moved to North Palm Beach, FL in 1982.

A graduate of New York Military Academy, finishing second in his class and earning 12 varsity letters. He was a student at Virginia Military Institue when he entered WWII as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. He was a veteran of the Algerian, French Moroccan, Tunisian and Sicilian Campaigns. He was the Commanding Officer of Company "L", one of eight companies to land on Omaha Beach in the initial combat wave of the Normandy Invasion. He lost his right leg as a result of injuries sustained on D-Day. He retired from active duty as a Major in 1946.

After WWII, he graduated from New York University in 1950 and entered the world of politics. He served as Commissioner of West New York for 20 years, Mayor of West New York for 16 years and Freeholder of Hudson County for 12 years. His administration was noted for its commitment to the community through urban renewal and developemnt. He was also a restaurateur from 1946-1983, an owner of the Park Casino in West New York and The Pub in Middletown, NJ. He was a communicant of Madonna della Libera Parish, West New York.

He was predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Nina Ritchik. Surviving are three children, Barbara, John and Nicholas.

Info furnished by FAG Contributor Richard H.