Obituary of Johnie Venable Sr.

Johnie Venable, Sr., 87, of Gerry, NY, passed away early Wednesday morning, April 26, 2023 in his home. He was the husband of the late Rose Marie Trunzo Venable, whom he married Feb. 11, 1956 and who died July 13, 2021. Johnie was born Oct. 26, 1935 in Little Rock, AR, the son of the late John P. and Eva Lilly Venable, and was a 1953 graduate of Little Rock Central School. He signed to play professional baseball at the age of 17 and met his future wife, Rose Marie, while playing baseball for the Jamestown Falcons. An area resident ever since, Johnie owned and operated Venable Construction, Inc. for more than 50 years. He was a member of the American Concrete Institute (ACI) and a Certified Concrete Inspector. A lifelong NRA member, he loved watching baseball. He was a good father and grandfather, always friendly to everyone, and possessed a warm, welcoming smile. Surviving are two sons, Daniel Venable and John Venable, and grandson, Johnie Venable, III, all of Gerry; as well as his great-granddaughter, Rayna. Along with his wife, Johnie was preceded in death by a daughter, Johneen Venable Berry who died Dec. 14, 2019, and a sister, Gloria Blaty. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Tuesday in Holy Apostles Parish, Ss. Peter & Paul Church. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery. Friends will be received from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday in the Lind Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative Care, 20 W. Fairmount Ave., Lakewood, NY 14750.