Colchester engineer and craftsman loved sharing his encyclopedic knowledge and spending time in nature
John Edward Pennucci of Colchester, Vt., died on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. John had been diagnosed with melanoma more than five years ago and had been treated at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Mass., since that time. Once his cancer had spread and was untreatable, he chose to utilize Vermont’s Act 39 and died surrounded by family and friends. John was born in Akron, Ohio, on June 3, 1955. He earned BS degrees in mechanical engineering and horticulture at Washington State University, Pullman, Wash. He earned an MS in engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. John was employed at Hazelett Strip-Casting Corporation in Colchester for more than 40 years. John’s interests were wide-ranging and his knowledge of random subjects encyclopedic. He was happy to explain the Second Law of Thermodynamics to nonscientists or to take his nieces fishing. He loved being outside, hiking, skiing, kayaking, camping. For many years, he volunteered with Audubon Vermont, tracking falcons’ nesting and survival rates. John was also a craftsman, building furniture and hand-carved bowls. He had quite a few quirks, including growing redwood trees indoors and never putting enough sugar in his apple pies. He once tried to rename Bald Mountain and give it a unique name, to no avail. John is survived by his partner of eight years, Andy Wasserman; his first wife, Kathy Pennucci; daughters Sarah and Amy Pennucci; brother Andrew Gilmore; sisters Annamarie and Barbara Pennucci; and nieces Gemma and Rose Pennucci. He is much missed by all. The family is deeply grateful to Dr. Amalia Kane of the University of Vermont Medical Center, Dr. Megan Insco of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Vermont Hospice. In lieu of flowers, please go outside, plant a tree or bake a pie. Memorial donations can be made to Audubon Vermont…
Colchester engineer and craftsman loved sharing his encyclopedic knowledge and spending time in nature
John Edward Pennucci of Colchester, Vt., died on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. John had been diagnosed with melanoma more than five years ago and had been treated at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Mass., since that time. Once his cancer had spread and was untreatable, he chose to utilize Vermont’s Act 39 and died surrounded by family and friends. John was born in Akron, Ohio, on June 3, 1955. He earned BS degrees in mechanical engineering and horticulture at Washington State University, Pullman, Wash. He earned an MS in engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. John was employed at Hazelett Strip-Casting Corporation in Colchester for more than 40 years. John’s interests were wide-ranging and his knowledge of random subjects encyclopedic. He was happy to explain the Second Law of Thermodynamics to nonscientists or to take his nieces fishing. He loved being outside, hiking, skiing, kayaking, camping. For many years, he volunteered with Audubon Vermont, tracking falcons’ nesting and survival rates. John was also a craftsman, building furniture and hand-carved bowls. He had quite a few quirks, including growing redwood trees indoors and never putting enough sugar in his apple pies. He once tried to rename Bald Mountain and give it a unique name, to no avail. John is survived by his partner of eight years, Andy Wasserman; his first wife, Kathy Pennucci; daughters Sarah and Amy Pennucci; brother Andrew Gilmore; sisters Annamarie and Barbara Pennucci; and nieces Gemma and Rose Pennucci. He is much missed by all. The family is deeply grateful to Dr. Amalia Kane of the University of Vermont Medical Center, Dr. Megan Insco of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Vermont Hospice. In lieu of flowers, please go outside, plant a tree or bake a pie. Memorial donations can be made to Audubon Vermont…