Teamsters Local 710 Remembers Brother John Divita Jr.
Teamster Driver at UPS and WWII Army Veteran
John Divita Jr., 90, passed away on February 5, 2016, at the Illinois Veterans Home, Lasalle, Illinois.
John was born on August 1, 1925 (a twin), in Chicago Illinois to Giovanni (John) and Vincentia (Virginia) (nee Dugo) Divita, immigrants from Altavilla Milicia, Sicily.
John and his 6 siblings grew up on the north side of Chicago, near Wrigleyville. He was a lifelong Cubs and Bears fan. He attended Lemoyne grade school and St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church. On August 1, 1937, the twins 12th birthday, Carlo, his twin, died tragically in an accident with an auto. He was riding a bicycle the boys were given as a birthday gift.
John served in WWII (1943-1946) as a Private First Class, 871st Field Artillery Battalion, 66th (Panther) Division in the European Theater of Operations. He was stationed in Northern France driving trucks hauling supplies and personnel over all kinds of terrain under blackout conditions. He participated in the Battle of the Bulge.
After the war John returned to Chicago and became a Teamster, driving for UPS and then US Steel. He delivered the steel beams that make up the overpasses on many of the area expressways. He was a proud Teamster becoming a union steward in his later years. For a time, John also owned and operated a Shell Service Station and along with his brothers, two Firestone Tire Centers.
John married Sally I Meidl on February 7, 1948 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Whitelaw, WI. He and Sally raised 5 children, living together in the Chicago city and northern suburbs for 68 years.
He loved to travel. He and Sally took many road trips in their camper. They toured all over the US, even driving to Alaska. John liked to play cards and “shoot craps”. He and Sally would make many pit stops to casinos on their travels.
John is survived by his wife, Sally, his children, Rosemary (Richard) Fukutomi, Christina (Ken) Divita, Carlo Divita, John C. Divita, Carmia (Michael) Behrens, his 13 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, his siblings, Rose (Mario) Churcharillo, Salvador (Joyce) Divita, Carlo Divita, Marion (John) Piff, Peter (Dorothy) Divita, Joseph (Laura) Divita, his cherished aunt Mary Giamalva and many good friends.
For more information, visit John’s memorial at www.smithcorcoran.com.