John Formolo

John N. Formolo, age 90, of Grafton, Wis., and Naples, Fla., passed away on May 12, 2021, at his Naples home with his family at his side following complications of pancreatic cancer.

John was born in Milwaukee, Wis., on Dec. 10, 1930, to Northern Italian immigrant parents. His father, Natale Formolo, died before John was 2 years old. He was raised by his mother Fiorenza “Florence” Formolo and became the embodiment of the American dream, rising from poverty to
prominence through a life defined by hard work, staunch values and unflappable character.

Shortly after completing high school in three years at Pio Nono and Pius High schools in Milwaukee, John was drafted into the U.S. Army and served a tour of duty as a tank driver in Alaska to guard against Russian action during the Korean War.

In 1954, he opened a used car lot on the corner of 54th and North Avenue in Milwaukee, where he met the love of his life, Janet Klein, his wife of 65 years. John enjoyed a long and successful career in the car business, eventually owning his own franchise, Formolo Ford, at 15th and Silver Spring Drive in Glendale in the 1970s.

John was a valued member of numerous community service organizations throughout his professional life and in retirement, serving as president of the Automobile Dealers Association of Metropolitan Milwaukee and on the boards of the Glendale Lions Club, St. Francis Children’s Center and several condo associations. John was active in his Catholic parishes and was the de facto mayor of every neighborhood in which he resided.

His retirement years were spent pursuing his passionate love for the game of golf, playing in formal and informal leagues in Wisconsin and Naples with men who became lifelong companions and friends. After 70 years of practice, he finally achieved a hole in one at Club Pelican Bay in Naples on March 1. Ecstatic beyond words, John exclaimed, “Now I can die a happy man!” His golf group at Pelican Bay has given their mentor and friend the lasting tribute of naming the annual John Formolo Memorial Tournament in his honor.

John leaves behind a proud family legacy including five children, 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. In addition to his wife Janet, he is survived by daughters Lauren (Mark) Beckmann, Gina (Michael) Flynn and Lisa (Christopher) Charney; sons James (Kristie) Formolo and Thomas (Stephanie) Formolo; grandchildren Emily (Nicholas) Pagenkopf, Eric (Samantha) Beckmann, John Formolo, Sophia Formolo, Benjamin Ruminski, Lucas (Abby) Ruminski, Dillon (Lane) Roloff, Hayley Formolo, Cassandra (Luke) Wolfe, Andersen Formolo and Reese Formolo; and great-grandson George Tanski. Another great-grandson is due to be born in August. John is also survived by brothers and sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews and countless friends and neighbors.

We trust St. Peter will answer affirmatively when this generous, good-humored man of faith arrives at heaven’s gate asking, “Do you serve Italians here?”

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Grafton, Wis., at a date to be determined. Burial will be private. Updated listing will be posted at Fuller Funeral Home, Naples, www.fullernaples.com/listings.

Donations in John’s memory can be made to First Tee Southeastern Wisconsin, the Wounded Warrior Project or Family Sharing of Ozaukee County.