John P. Moffo Jr., of Navarre, died Oct. 24, 2008, after a three-year battle with melanoma. He was 44 years old.  He passed away peacefully at home with his wife and children.  John was born on Sept. 15, 1964 in Waterbury, Conn. John is survived by his loving wife of 15 years, Colette Besser Moffo, and their three sons, Anthony, Nicholas and Michael.  Also surviving are his father, John P. Moffo Sr. of Watertown, sisters Palma Famiglietti of Watertown, Maryanne Moffo of Randolph, N.J. and Carmel Hackert of Thomaston, Conn.  John was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Gianelli Moffo.John retired from the United States Air Force on Aug. 10, 2007, after 24 years of service, as a chief master sergeant.  Chief Moffo most recently managed the Air Force Special Operations Command, Communications and Information Directorate at Hurlburt Field, which supported world-wide joint and combined special operations and rescue missions.  His prior assignments included:  Superintendent for the 53rd Combat Communications Squadron at the 5th Combat Communications Group, Robins Air Force Base, Ga.; Superintendent: Intelligence Systems, USAF Europe, Ramstein Air Base, Germany; NCO, Network Management, Headquarters Defense Courier Service, Ft. Meade, Md. His prior assignments included the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.; Decimomannu Air Base, Italy; and Volkel Air Base, the Netherlands.  During his military career, Chief Moffo received multiple major awards and decorations including the Meritorious Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and Service Medal, the Air and Space Campaign Medal and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor.  John was a very active member of many ministries at St. Sylvester Catholic Church, including a 4th Degree member of the St. Sylvester Council 13277 of the Knights of Columbus.

A viewing will be at St. Sylvester from 5-8 p.m. Oct. 28, including a recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6 p.m. A funeral mass will be at the church at 10 a.m. Oct. 29, followed by interment at Barrancas National Cemetery on Pensacola Naval Air Station, Pensacola. Chief Moffo will receive full military honors.