John N. Ficociello ’68
John N. Ficociello, Burlington, VT, died September 18, 2024, seemingly of a cardiac infarction.
John was born in Worcester, MA and was raised and worked on his family’s farm in East Brookfield, MA. He attended Prouty High School in Spencer, MA, was on the first-string basketball state champion team, and graduated salutatorian.
He came to Saint Michael’s on an academic scholarship and was captain of the football team. While in college, he was invited by his future father-in-law to work part time in the field of orthotics and prosthetics. He became enthralled with the profession.
The summer after graduation, he married Mary Ann and received a grant to attend Northwestern University’s prestigious prosthetic program. With several options pending, he chose to return to Vermont to complete his internship and residency. He took later orthotics classes at NYU and UCLA.
When offered, John purchased the business, renamed it Yankee Medical, and expanded it to include six locations with 60 employees, many of whom have come to be endlessly appreciated and considered family. After several offers, he ultimately sold the business to the University of Vermont Medical Center (UVMMC) and retired at 72.
During his many years of service to his profession and community, John served on many boards such as the National American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association as acting president and president of Lyric Theater’s board of directors.
John and Mary Ann were part of a special motorcycle group, generating many fond memories on numerous trips. They also valued the community within Burlington’s Lyric Theater, where John could often be found backstage with a headset. He also was a longtime President’s Medallion level supporter of the College.
In addition to John’s loyalty to his family, he enjoyed many a casino around the world as well his local poker games at the Ethan Allen Club. Most recently, he enjoyed playing cribbage at the Burlington Country Club, having won a title twice.
John is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mary Ann, a son, two sisters and extended family.