With much regret, we announce the passing of John Comella, N8AA (2160), on September 16. John joined FOC in January 2021 by sponsors: K8MFO, W9VNE, K4BAI, N3JT, LU5OM, IKØYVV, G3TXF, W4YE.  (It should also be remembered that John, N8AA, was a member of FOC from 7/73 until 5/82 with #1212 as W8QXQ. )  He passed at home after a brief illness, he was age 86.

John was born in Cleveland, Ohio on September 5, 1939.  He earned his business degree from the University of Dayton in 1961 and joined the US Navy that year.  He was an officer aboard the USS Tulare and then the USS Rupertus.  He retired from the Navy in 1965 and then went to law school, becoming a government attorney for 20 years.

He started into amateur radio at the age of 14 when he built his own radio In his parents’ basement — an early callsign of his was W8QXQ.  He took DX trips to the Cayman Islands in 1977, and St. Paul Island in 2016.

John’s funeral was recorded and can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abmias99K18

Thanks to the Daily DX and W9VNE for these details.