John S. Proia, 71, passed away Tuesday, March 31, at Holy Family Hospital at Merrimack Valley following an extended illness. He was the husband of the late Rose M. (Carey) Proia.
Born in Haverhill June 14, 1943, he was the son of the late Gulio S. and Dorothy (Doyle) Proia. He lived in Bradford most of his life and was a graduate of Pentucket Regional High School class of 1961 and Northern Essex Community College. Proia enlisted in the U.S. Army following his high school graduation where he proudly served his country in Germany. As a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War, he was honorably discharged on August 10, 1964.
Proia worked as an electronic technician at Lucent Technologies in North Andover for more than 20 years before his retirement. He also worked as a respiratory therapist for several years in local area hospitals. He was a proud steward and former vice-president of Communication Workers of America (CWA) Local 1365 and a member of the Amvets Post 147 of Haverhill.
Proia loved playing Keno and making trips to Foxwoods. He also enjoyed walking his dog around Winnekenni Castle and Haverhill Stadium. He was a fan of classic cars, especially Corvettes.
He is survived by two daughters, Terri Suplinskas and her husband, Michael of Haverhill and Michelle Hatch and her husband, Jeremy of Fayetteville, NC; three sons, Todd Proia and his wife, Laura of Haverhill, John Proia and his wife, Kristen of Bradford and Bruce Spencer and his wife, June of Salem, N.H.; six grandchildren; Emily and Kailey Suplinskas, Aiden and Victoria Hatch and Gianna and Emmalynn Proia; one brother, Dennis Proia; his beloved maltese, “Mr. Thor” and many nieces and nephews.
His funeral service will be Tuesday in the Linnehan-Grondin Funeral Home, 52 Salem St., Bradford at 10 a.m. Visiting hours will be Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. Interment with military honors will be held in Elmwood Cemetery, Bradford.