John Altomare

To view the livestream funeral service of Mr. John Altomare, on Monday, October 9, 2023, at 12 PM, please click the link below:

• Our Lady of Victory Church
• Mass of Christian Burial for Mr. John Altomare

MUNROE FALLS - With tremendous sadness, we announce the passing of John Altomare, age 70, of Munroe Falls, Ohio, on September 8, 2023, while vacationing in London, England.

John’s life revolved around three things: his family, his friends, and his work as a police officer.

As a child in Inwood, New York, he grew up in a big, close-knit Italian family. When he met and married Vicki, he gained a second family in Ohio. He was thrilled when they became parents and then grandparents. He just loved being “Dad” and “Nonu.” He also loved to tell everyone the latest news about all of them. From the time they met, John and Vicki traveled many times a year with their family and also with friends. Their next big adventure was usually planned even before they finished the current one. He was especially looking forward to a trip to see the Northern Lights. We hope he is seeing those beautiful lights now.

Over the years, the people John met and worked with became more than friends - they were his family, too. He especially enjoyed getting together and laughing over a meal.

John was a proud and dedicated police officer for almost 50 years. First, he graduated from Kent State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. Then the majority of his career was spent with the City of Kent Police Department, where he rose to the rank of lieutenant.

When he retired in 2011, he joined the City of Munroe Falls Police Department.  At the time of his death, he was a sergeant at Munroe Falls PD, a negotiator with Metro SWAT, and a bailiff for Stow Municipal Court.  At various times over the years, he was also an officer with the Kent State University Police Department, was a member of Portage County SWAT, was a TSA agent at Akron Canton Airport, and worked for Akron Children’s Hospital Safety Department.

Obviously, John was not a man who could remain idle for long.

Those who knew him well, know that John always thought of others before himself, never wanted the attention on him, was always willing to lend a helping hand, loved to tell stories, and had the biggest smile. He took it as a personal challenge to find the best sales on groceries and loved a good coupon. If he ever took time to relax at home, he could be found watching old television shows, (especially with his kids when they were young), war movies, history or food channels, and cop shows.

John devoted his life to caring for those close to him, to protecting his communities, to his fellow first responders, and especially to ensuring the wellbeing of all children. He was so loved and will be greatly missed, but he leaves behind a wonderful legacy.

When asked what he wanted as a gift for himself, John always responded, “peace and quiet.” Our wish for him is that he has that - now and for eternity - and as we think of him, we’re sending him the “hi” sign.

John was preceded in death by his father, Carmen “Duke” Altomare; father-in-law, Charles “Chuck” Adams, and great friends and fellow officers, Dominic, Tom, Ray, and Curt.  It must be quite a reunion!

John leaves behind a very proud and loving family, including his wife of 45 years, Vicki;  Children, Elisa (Carl) Fisher and Cristina Altomare; grandchildren, Daniel Altomare and Nelson, Holly, and Felicity Fisher;  mother, Rose Altomare; siblings, Linda (Michael) Lane and Loretta D’Aleo; mother-in-law, Elizabeth “Libby” Adams; brother-in-law, Randy (Joleine) Adams; nephews and nieces, Derek (Emily) Adams, Peter (Deena) D’Aleo, Brent (Katie) Adams, Casey (Rebecca) Lane, Zachary (Lauren) Lane, Adam D’Aleo, and Joshua MacMullan; eleven great-nephews and great-nieces; godchildren, cousins, and extended family members, and so many friends who were family to him.

Friends may visit at Redmon Funeral Home, 3633 Darrow Road, Stow, OH 44224, on Sunday, October 8, 2023, from 1:00 - 3:00 PM and 5:00 - 8:00 PM. Please bring your best “John” stories to share. We would love to hear them, and we have some of our own to share with you.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, October 9, 2023, at 12:00 PM, at Our Lady of Victory Church, 73 North Avenue, Tallmadge, OH 44278. Burial will take place afterward at Crown Hill Cemetery, 8592 Darrow Road, Twinsburg, OH 44087.

Those unable to attend, or who would like to pass on a memory of John, may do so by clicking on the “Guestbook” icon on the funeral home website.

To honor John, in lieu of flowers, we suggest that donations in his memory may be made to:

Shop with a Cop

John participated every year in this wonderful program. It provides an opportunity for children to spend time with police officers and shop for holiday gifts for their families.

Memorial checks may be made out to: Shop with a Cop Munroe Falls, and can be mailed to or dropped off at:

Munroe Falls Police Department, 43 Munroe Falls Avenue, Munroe Falls, OH 44262

Bulldog Bags, Inc.

John was an avid supporter of this program in the Stow-Munroe Falls City School District. It is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization, dedicated to reducing hunger for students on the weekends and when school is not in session.

Visit their website: bulldogbags.org for information or to donate.

Memorial checks can be mailed to:

Bulldog Bags, Inc., P.O. Box 1475, Stow, OH 44224

John Altomare Memorial Scholarship

This will be an annual scholarship, given to a senior at Stow-Munroe Falls High School who will be studying Criminal Justice in college, with the intention of pursuing a career in law enforcement. This will be through the Stow-Munroe Falls Schools Foundation. Details are being finalized.

For further information, visit the website below or email:

[email protected]

At this time, donations may made be through:

Venmo:  Stow-Munroe Falls Schools Foundation @SMFSF (under the “Businesses” heading.)

Click the Pay icon and include John Altomare Memorial Scholarship in the box labeled “What’s this for?”

When the scholarship is finalized, donations may also be made at the website:

stowschoolsfoundation.org

Click on the Menu icon in the upper right corner. Click Donate.

From the scholarship drop-down menu, click the John Altomare Memorial Scholarship.