Obituaries

John L. Ballani

John L. Ballani of Southold died April 13 at the age of 83.

He was born Nov. 21, 1928, in Newark, N.J., to John and Nancy (Bozzomo) Ballani and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict.

Family members said he will be remembered “as an entrepreneur of sorts.” Many years ago he owned and operated the Puss & Boots Diner in Bridgehampton and managed a Howard Johnson’s Restaurant, then went on to a long career in management with National Foods. After a stint running the Pittsburgh Playhouse, he designed kitchens and baths for Tommasini’s in Riverhead.

In 1999, he moved from Shirley to Southold, where he worked the counter at Gianni’s Specialty Foods in Feather Hill and more recently tended to the yard at Chick’s Agway.

He is survived by his companion of 21 years, Barbara Brunjes; his children, John Jr., of Pittsburgh, Pa., Lauren Levin of Holyoke, Mass., Larri, of Phoenix, Ariz., and Elizabeth Gatalica of New Eagle, Pa.; his sisters, Helen Guidice of Odenton, Md., and Theresa Cicconi of Medford; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Cremation services were arranged by DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold.

Memorial donations may be made to Eastern Long Island Hospital, P.O. Box 201, Greenport, NY 11944.