John Joseph Nunnari

John Joseph Nunnari, 65, of Rutland, MA passed away after a brief illness on Friday, June 28, 2013 at UMass Memorial Medical Center, Worcester MA, surrounded by his family. John was born June 20, 1948 in Braddock PA. He is the son of the late Joseph J. Nunnari and the late Clotilda Palmieri Nunnari. A Sr. Research Associate in the Dept. of Neurobiology at UMass Medical School, where he worked for over thirty years, John also served for over ten years as an Adjunct Professor of Biology at Becker College and had been a Research Assistant in the Div. of Infectious Disease at Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Throughout his career as an electron microscopist, John collaborated with teams of eminent researchers, pioneering breakthrough initiatives in pathology. John was known for his sense of humor and insatiable curiosity about life in general. He took great pride in his family and enjoyed gardening, crossword puzzles and playing piano. He was very proud of his eighteen years of service on the Wachusett Regional School Committee. He will be dearly missed by loved ones, colleagues and friends. In addition to his beloved wife, the former June Jacobs of Otisville, NY, whom he married on October 28, 1978, John is survived by sons: John, Jr.; Adam and his wife Kristina, Rutland MA; daughter: Nicole, Dover NH; brother: Joseph J. Nunnari and his wife Irene, New Windsor NY; Nephew: Patrick Nunnari, New Windsor NY. Arrangements are by the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St., Worcester, MA. Friends may call on Tuesday, July 2nd. From 4-7 p.m. in the funeral home. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in John's name to the Sweetpea F.o.R. Animals Shelter. To share your thoughts and memories of John, please visit his personal guestbook at www.mercadantefuneral.com.