John Dennis Cologna

Former General Electric Executive

John Dennis Cologna, 78, of Trumbull, beloved husband of the late Betty Jane Baker Cologna, died suddenly, January 24. A native of Chicago, he was the son of Sophie and Dennis Hoelbrandt Cologna.

Eight loving children, including Danial Cologna, and his wife Robyn, Linda Cavaliere, and Karen Echeverria, and her husband Tim, all of Newtown; 22 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews survive Mr Cologna. He was predeceased by three siblings.

He was a graduate of DePaul University with a degree in marketing, where he and his wife established a scholarship fund. Mr Cologna was a 4th degree Knight of Columbus and Grand Knight of the St Theresa Council.

Retired after 42 years with the General Electric Corp, he held various executive positions there in Chicago, Louisville, and Fairfield. After retirement he founded his own consulting company, Supply Management Solutions Associates, Inc. In 1996-1997, he served as president of the 26,000-member National Association of Purchasing Management in Tempe, Ariz.

A member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians for more than 30 years, he performed for hospitals, schools, orphanages, and other charities. He was awarded the Order of Merlin and was nominated for the President Gerald Phillippe award at GE for these charitable activities.

Funeral services will take place Saturday, January 28, at 8 am, in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull, and at 9 am in St Theresa Church, Trumbull, for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will take place in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull. Friends may call Friday, January 27, from 4 to 8 pm, at the funeral home.

 In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 2080 Silas Deane Highway, second floor, Rocky Hill CT 06067, or at diabetes.org.

To light a virtual candle, visit www.abriola.com.

The Newtown Bee        January 27, 2012