It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of John Henry Ciovacco, who died peacefully at his home in North Palm Beach, Florida, on April 13, 2026, at the age of 99.

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, on October 12, 1926, John was the son of the late Galliano and Sylvia (née Corsi) Ciovacco. He had a lifelong curiosity and passion for technology, but in retirement, his greatest dedication was spending time with his family. John was preceded in death by his brother, George Ciovacco.

John’s life was marked by distinguished military and professional service. After attending Norwich University, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant at Fort Benning in 1944 at just 18 years old. As a “90-day wonder,” he became one of the youngest commissioned officers in the history of the United States Army. He served in Germany at the close of WWII, where he met his future wife, Waltraud Peitzmann, in Stuttgart. He continued his service in 1952 during the Korean War, stationed in Japan. His commitment to the military is a family legacy, carried on by two grandsons who served in the Army during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and two great-grandsons currently in the Army and Air Force ROTC programs.

Following his service in WWII, John graduated from Tufts University as a mechanical engineer and began a remarkable 35-year career at IBM. His career culminated in his role as IBM Director of Manufacturing in Europe and Asia, where he was highly regarded for spreading the IBM culture and driving exceptional results. He often connected personally with local workforces by delivering speeches in Italian, French, and German. For his role in opening IBM plants and creating numerous jobs across Italy, he was knighted in 1980 by the Italian President, receiving the title of Cavaliere (Knight) of the Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana. During his leadership assignments overseas, he and his family created lifelong memories and friendships while residing in Paris, France, and Stuttgart, Germany.

Beyond his impressive professional achievements, John was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He cherished time spent with his large family and was a constant source of optimism. He was an avid student of world affairs and often shared his simple, profound philosophy: “It is free to smile and it makes those around you feel better, so why not do it often?” He also took great joy in imparting knowledge, whether explaining the mechanics of car engines or sharing stories of life during the Great Depression.

John is survived by his loving wife of 78 years, Waltraud; his children, Karen Fuchs and Mark Ciovacco; his grandchildren, Carl Ciovacco, Paul Ciovacco, Mark Ciovacco, Thomas Ciovacco, Juliana Fuchs, Laura Fuchs, and Steven Fuchs; and his fourteen great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life service will be announced at a later date. 

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