John J Lolli

John J. Lolli, 97 of Boca Raton, FL passed away peacefully, in his sleep, on Friday, July 15, 2022, at The Encore of Boca Raton.

John was born August 13, 1924, in Wayne, PA to the late Michael and Rosina Lolli of Lolli Bakery fame. John was the youngest of 4 sons and is predeceased by Lou, Tony, and Frank Lolli.

John was married to the late Connie (Souder/Brennan) who passed away in 2010.  He and Connie were both 1942 graduates of Radnor High School in Wayne, PA, and reconnected for their 25^th class reunion, marrying 3 years later, in 1969. 

John graduated from the University of Miami and had a long career as a teacher in South Florida.  He was also a trained vocalist, breaking into song whenever a tune struck him!  He sang with his church choirs for many years.  John was in the Top 10 of Senior American Idol several years ago. He played the clarinet and saxophone with many wonderful bands throughout his whole life and was a talented entertainer, combining songs, instrumentals, stories, and jokes.  He was also an actor in various plays in the Miami area, most notably in “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” in the early 1960s. More recently he was a member of the Broward Mummers and the Bagel Band.  He was known for his joke telling, sometimes giving only the punchline and enjoying the joke by himself!

John was in the military band aboard the USS Hornet CV-12 in the US Navy during WWII and served in the Air Force during the Korean War.  He was celebrated by being flown to Washington, DC in 2016 for the Honor Flight with other WWII veterans, a wonderful day he shared with his daughters and daughter-in-law.

John and Connie loved traveling, camping, fishing, and even joined the circus for 3 months with John playing in the band!  They spent many summers in Pennsylvania visiting with their children and grandchildren. John was also an amateur pilot, allowing them to travel to the keys to fish for a day!

He is survived by his children, Joe Lolli (Carroll), William Lolli, (Phyllis), Connie Legge, Bob Brennan, Steve Brennan (Beverly), and Kimetha Wurster (Mark).  He was predeceased by his daughter-in-law, Toni Brennan.  He had 14 grandchildren: Bill Legge (Janet), Jan Lennon (Steve); BJ Brennan (Jen), Kelli Brennan (Matt), Jeff Brennan (Margaret), Lindsey Pierangeli (Dennis); Brendan Brennan, Brad Brennan, predeceased by Brittany Breuninger (Andy), Brooke Buckley (Jeremy); TJ Petito (Sarah), Austin Petito (Jess), Tyler Petito (Andi) and Wreni Wurster;  24 great-grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. 

Our family is blessed to have many wonderful memories of Dad and Mom to pass along to the next generations! 

Funeral arrangements will be private.