John Corr Colosimo

John Corr Colosimo, 83 of Carmel, died on Sunday, August 19, 2018 at his home.  Born December 15th 1934 in Chicago, Illinois, he graduated from the Illinois Institute of Technology, his father’s alma mater, in 1957 earning a bachelor’s of science in Civil Engineering.

During college, John joined the United States Air Force ROTC and upon graduation became a commissioned officer in 1958.  Later, while stationed at the Royal Air Force Base Bruntingthorpe in Leicestershire, England, he flew the Douglas B-66 Destroyer and met his English wife, Beryl Warren, in 1960. They married the following year. Their son, Christopher, was born in Leicester, England and their second son, William, was born while stationed in Rosieres-en-Haye, France.

The Colosimos’ later moved to the USA and John completed his master’s of science in Civil Engineering at Auburn University. Their daughter, Karen, was born while the family was stationed in Mobile, Alabama.

A Vietnam War veteran, John was awarded the Bronze Star Medal in 1968.  After assignments to the Pentagon, Shaw AFB in South Carolina, Langley AFB in Virginia, and Keesler AFB in Mississippi, John joined the 54th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron (The Typhoon Chasers) flying C-130s out of Andersen Air Force Base,  Guam in the late 1970’s.

Upon hanging up his wings, John became Commander of the Civil Engineering Squadrons at a variety of bases including Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota, Barksdale AFB in Louisiana and Space Command in Colorado.

After 30 years of distinguished military service, John retired from the USAF in 1988 achieving the rank of Colonel.  Following his retirement, John assumed the role of Director of Technical Operations with the Indianapolis Airport Authority in 1989.  In this role, he oversaw the successful completion of the airport’s $1 billion redevelopment project.  After 20 years, John retired from his civilian career in 2009 and enjoyed traveling, reading, listening to classical music and spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Beryl Colosimo; his brother, William Colosimo; his children Christopher (Ian) Colosimo, William (Jennifer) Colosimo, Karen (Keith) Johnston; and five grandchildren Heather, Amber and Clayton Collins, Isabella Colosimo and Hannah York.

John will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.