Mr. John "Johnny Boy" Robustelli
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Mr. John "Johnny Boy" Robustelli

  • December 23, 1950 - January 10, 2011
  • Portland, Oregon
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Memories & Candles

“Dear Vicki and Family I am so so sorry to hear of Johnny's passing, I will keep you in my prayers, ALS is such a VILE disease. I know he must be in...Read More » ”
1 of 12 | Posted by: Dale Robustelli Smyth - Stamford, CT

“Dear Vicki and children: Johnny always had a special place in my heart growing up. He was such a sensitive and caring person. I was so happy when he...Read More » ”
2 of 12 | Posted by: Christine Robustelli Covell

“I have done a lot of thinking about your father and the time he lived with us.I remember being not happy when he left to live with Uncle Joey and...Read More » ”
3 of 12 | Posted by: Jean Bowden - Marstons Mills, MA

“We always loved John and were very happy when he married our niece, Vicki Lynn. In their early marriage they would visit us in McLean, Virginia, on...Read More » ”
4 of 12 | Posted by: Thelma and Chester Gray - VA

“I remember it like it was just a few years ago, when John and Vicki came to see us in Virginia. (it really was about 30 years ago) We were all...Read More » ”
5 of 12 | Posted by: Barbara Gray Purtee - Wake Forest, NC

“I enjoyed so many wonderful times over the years with Johnny while visiting my Aunt Candi on Wesley Avenue in Port Chester during the 1960s. He was...Read More » ”
6 of 12 | Posted by: Scott Vincent - White Plains, NY

“I enjoyed so many wonderful times over the years with Johnny while visiting my Aunt Candi on Wesley Avenue in Port Chester during the 1960s. He was...Read More » ”
7 of 12 | Posted by: Scott Vincent - White Plains, NY

“I remember it like it was just a few years ago, when John and Vicki came to see us in Virginia. (it really was about 30 years ago) We were all...Read More » ”
8 of 12 | Posted by: Barbara Gray Purtee - Wake Forest, NC

“We always loved John and were very happy when he married our niece, Vicki Lynn. In their early marriage they would visit us in McLean, Virginia, on...Read More » ”
9 of 12 | Posted by: Thelma and Chester Gray - VA

“I have done a lot of thinking about your father and the time he lived with us.I remember being not happy when he left to live with Uncle Joey and...Read More » ”
10 of 12 | Posted by: Jean Bowden - Marstons Mills, MA

“Dear Vicki and children: Johnny always had a special place in my heart growing up. He was such a sensitive and caring person. I was so happy when he...Read More » ”
11 of 12 | Posted by: Christine Robustelli Covell

“Dear Vicki and Family I am so so sorry to hear of Johnny's passing, I will keep you in my prayers, ALS is such a VILE disease. I know he must be...Read More » ”
12 of 12 | Posted by: Dale Robustelli Smyth - Stamford, CT


John Robustelli was born in Stamford, CT on December 23rd of 1950 to John and Alba Robustelli and younger brother to Sally. During his childhood John was very adventurous and athletic. He was involved in soccer, football, hunting, cared for horses, and sometimes looked at as a cowboy. At a young age John lost his Mother to breast cancer and his father a few years later. John’s family says his Father died of a broken heart. After loosing both of his parents he lived with an Aunt for a short while then moved to live with an Uncle. Eventually his Uncle chose to send him to a private boarding school called Storm King. This was a very hard time for John but Storm King proved to be the most helpful thing for him. While attending the private high school John was the captain of the Lacrosse and Soccer teams. He received a high level of education here and then went on to attend 2 years of college. Through all of John’s trials during childhood and early adolescence he became a very strong and determined man. The next trial in John’s life was a wild stag of a woman who initially wanted nothing to do with him. He first fell for Vicki Jeppesen while visiting the love and serve restaurant where she was working as a waitress. “Johnny Angel” (as he was referred to in song by young girls in his teenage years) would regularly visit the restaurant and whistle at her for attention. Vicki was greatly annoyed by this but at the same time was intrigued. After months of Vicki’s attempts to ignore John, his charm finally won her over. Vicki at last opened up her heart and soul to him. They had a deep spiritual connection with each other and soon fell in love. John and Vicki were married January 19th 1974. They spent the next few years working and pursuing their spirituality. John and Vicki had their first child Alicia in 1980 and 2 years later traveled across the country to live in Portland, OR. They had their second daughter Elizabeth in 1984, and son Michael in 1987. They have lived in their same home ever since. John always treated everybody that was connected to his family with so much love and care. He certainly was talented at endearing himself to Vicki’s Father and Mother. In their own loving ways they made him feel like he was their own son. He got that from the beginning. While still living in Conneticut, he worked at the “Love and Serve Bakery” and Southern New England Telephone. Upon moving to Portland, John continued work as a cable-splicing technician. Throughout his years of work, he consistently won the admiration of his co-workers. When John wasn’t hard at work he was often seen sitting on the front porch with a cold beer reading the newspaper or one of his many science fiction books. In addition to his avid reading, he was passionate about gardening, studying the market and baking. He worked very hard every year to create a beautiful garden in his back yard. John spent many weekends at the beach in Tillamook, always working to improve the property. John loved his children dearly. He strongly supported them in all their activities. John and his son Michael shared a great enjoyment of soccer. Princess Liz claims to be his favorite, and was often able to persuade John into getting what she wanted. Alicia, his first born, inherited his zest for learning, his hard-work habits, and eventually came to see eye to eye with her father on a passion for science-fiction. John and Vicki were married almost 37 years and never had a dull moment…from their spiritual quest to their love for gardening, their relationship was always a bit like a chess game. Even during John’s last days with us they were still laughing and teasing one another. John was always very patient and kind to everyone…no matter what! He was always able to find humor in things big and small. He kept those around him laughing whether he was making funny faces and snide comments or gracing us with his infamous cat spray dance. We will love you and miss you always. Please contact: Elizabeth Robustelli, elizabethgracer@hotmail.com with any questions or comments.