Obituary of John Aschettino
January 26, 2024
It is with deep sadness to share that John Aschettino, beloved husband, brother, uncle, god father, and dear friend, died on January 26, 2024 due to illness. He was 67. For over 25 years, John was also a cancer survivor. He fought a good fight.
John is survived by his wife Kerry Ann Shanley, brother Tom Aschettino, nieces and godchildren Amanda Aschettino-Ramirez and Jackie Numa and their spouses and children, nephew Daniel Steier, and godchildren Michael Kimball, Mary Kimball, Shawn Holder and James Baumann. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Aschettino, Ida Aschettino and brother Carl Aschettino. John was born on December 10, 1956 in Brooklyn NY and always lived in New York City. He and his wife have spent the last 18 years living in South Street Seaport, Manhattan. John was a true New Yorker. John’s career was in the risk/insurance brokerage industry for the past 40 plus years. He was a Senior Vice President within the Specialty Markets- Real Estate practice at Aon and with the firm for over three decades. Many of John’s closest friends are part of this industry.
John lived a life of faith and generosity to others. John was a friend, advisor, and counselor to many family, friends, and colleagues. His empathy, active listening, business savvy, and, when asked for, sage words of advice were always spot-on. John also thrived on mentoring the next generation. He referred to it as “teaching the kids” - regardless of someone’s age. He was always thrilled with the kids future successes. This was part of what made him such a special and unique person.
John was a kid at heart and so much fun to be with. He lightened any situation with his dry wit and lightening quick sense of humor. This also included quoting classic lines from classic movies. John said “Have fun storming the castle” (Princess Bride) when you were running out the door to start the day. “Wait. I was going to make an espresso.” (Young Frankenstein) was when you were running late out the door to start the day. “Highballs and cocktails, the long and the short of it.” (The Thin Man) was a way to start a weekend, even if it just meant having a ginger ale or root beer during Friday night pizza night.
John traveled through life with purpose. He enjoyed trips with his colleagues to the UK, tag-on visits to European cities - Paris for the restaurants, Florence for the shopping and food, travel to New Orleans for the jazz and restaurants and visits with family and friends. Post his trips, John always had stories about his adventures and interactions…and oh….the stories he did tell. With John, a walk was never just a walk. There was always a destination, whether going cross-town to work or walking uptown to shop at some of Manhattan’s best owner-operated specialty food stores. He was an avid cook and made an outstanding cappuccino. Cooking for family and friends gave him significant pleasure. He liked to cook holiday meals and bring food to family, friends and co-workers throughout the year, including ribs, meatballs, and eggplant parmigiana, which John always said takes a good two days to make properly.
Thank you John for the many years of joy, inspiration, and deep caring you brought to all of our lives. We love you and miss you terribly.
The family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, friends memorialize John by donating to the American Heart Association or any organization that, to them, best represents John’s spirit and enduring legacy.
Funeral Services
Viewing
January 31, 2024
2 PM - 4 PM to 6 PM - 8 PM
Greenwich Village Funeral Home
199 Bleecker St.
New York, NY 10012
Get DirectionsFuneral Mass
February 1, 2024
10:30 AM
St. Peter’s Church
22 Barclay St.
New York, NY 10007
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Bill and I loved John so much. His personality and humor were unmatched He will forever live in our hearts an memories ? My dear cousin, Kerry, May God bless you with His Peace and great Mercy as you mourn John and go forward in life. My love to you and all of the family and friends who were blessed to know John. I send our heartfelt sympathy and love. Fran and Bill DeCray
Posted by: Fran DeCray - Freeport, FL - Family January 28, 2024
John was a great mentor, friend and colleague. Nothing ruffled him, he listened, provide well thought out response any always talked you off the ledge. John always found a way and did it with enjoyment. John will be missed terribly. Our prayers are with Kerry and family.
Posted by: Theresa McLaughlin - Ponte Vedra, FL - Coworker January 28, 2024
I just heard,,,,, and spoke to John Up in Heaven. John, Friend,, help your family from Life Up Above. Hugs.
Posted by: Jo Ann Barbaro - Brooklyn, NY - Friend January 29, 2024
John was such a wonderful man! May he rest in Jesus loving arms????
Posted by: Anne Strafaci - Pembroke Pines, FLORIDA - Friend January 29, 2024
Kerry, My heart is broken hearing that John has passed away. May he rest in peace and watch over you always. With Sympathy, Diana Pepe
Posted by: Diana Pepe - Staten Island , New York - Friend January 29, 2024
So very sad to hear that John has passed. I worked with him for decades and he always had a smile and a joke. While he never appeared to take things too seriously he was always focused on doing a seriously great job. He made friends easily and was liked by everyone at Aon. How could you not like him? Even when he had health issues he was smiling, never complaining and instead tried to make you feel good about yourself. Heaven is a funnier place today. God bless, John.
Posted by: Ed Dadakis - Greenwich, CT - Coworker January 29, 2024
It takes my breath away that you are gone. I just saw you last week. My old friend, I remember when we first met sitting in the office on Water Street. I am so glad that you accepted the job and started your career at Aon and our friendship began. There are so many that will miss you terribly. Rest in Peace my friend. We will meet again.
Posted by: Veronica Benzinger - Jupiter, Florida - Friend January 29, 2024
John, you will be so deeply missed. Working with you was a joy. Thank you for sharing your experience and cookies! How perfectly your obituary captures your sly sense of humor. We will all laugh less without you. Deepest sympathy to Kerry, Tom and your whole family. Your love for them was reflected in every story you shared. Rest in peace, dear friend.
Posted by: Catherine Smith - New York, New York - Coworker January 31, 2024
My sincere condolences to Kerry and John’s extended family. Everything said about Johnny A in his obituary and tributes are accurate and true. John and I worked closely together for many years and I can attest to his overall kindness and bright light personality. My fondest memory is not work related but personal and displays John’s incredible kindness. 25 years ago my cousin who is the same age as John was also suffering from the same cancer. I put John and my cousin together via phone calls and a luncheon in NYC and it is John who referred my cousin to John’s Dr. at Sloan who but for John’s insistence was not taking new patients. When I called Andy (my cousin) to relay the sad news of John’s passing he asked that I mention in my tribute how grateful he is for John’s interest in helping him so long ago. Of course, I am also grateful for the relationship John and I shared.
Posted by: Mike Calabrese - Naples, FL - Coworker February 1, 2024
I am so sad to hear this news. John was the salt of the earth! A one of the kindest human beings, he always had a smile on his face. John, had such a love for life and was filled with much gratitude. I worked with him for many years at Aon, he was always willing to help out and go the extra mile. His family will be in my thoughts and prayer. Rest in peace, you will be miss!!
Posted by: Eileen King - New York , NY - Friend February 1, 2024
I was client of John's from Toronto Ontario Canada for many years, and had the pleasure of traveling with John to London several times. Aside from being very knowledgible and experienced in the commercial insurance market, John exuded warth to everyone he encountered, and alsways came accross as being relaxed and cheerful - which was infectious to everyone around him. John was such a pleasure to work with; always had a story and loved helping the young people in the industry with advice, encouragement and much needed food and love. John will be greatly missed and leaves a hole in humanity that will be difficult to fill. Thank you for all your help and guideance over the years. Rest in peace my freind.
Posted by: John May - North Bay , Ontario Canada - Friend February 1, 2024
Rest in peace John. You were a great guy. I learned so much from you and all the laughs we had. I’m so happy to have met you. Love you, Lynn
Posted by: Lynn Vitery - Bonita Springd, Florida - Friend February 1, 2024
