John Borelli Jr., 72

John Borelli Jr., 72, of Hendersonville died on May 14, 2012, at the Four Seasons Elizabeth House, Flat Rock, after a long illness.

He was born on December 12, 1939, in Framingham, Mass. His parents were Bernice (Tero) and John Borelli, Sr., formerly of Ashland, Mass.

He was educated in Ashland schools and graduated from Wentworth Institute of Technology with an Associate's Degree in Engineering. He was employed by General Electric Company in Ashland, Mass., managing several departments before his retirement 20 years ago.

He is survived by three children: Darlene Skiotis of North Myrtle Beach, S.C., John J. Borelli of Brookline, N.H. and Russ Borelli of Framingham, Mass., and a grandson, Zach Skiotis of North Myrtle Beach, S.C. He also leaves two sisters: Jeanette Belli of Port Richie, Fla., and Barbara Borelli of Framingham, Mass., two nephews and four nieces.

He was an avid gardener, creating beautiful flowers in the sandy soil of his Cape Cod home. He loved rescuing stray cats, but really enjoyed fishing all of his life from the time he was a young boy, so we feel it is fitting to remember him with this poem:

God grant that I may live to fish until my dying day,

And when it comes to my last cast, I then most humbly pray.

When in the Lord's safe landing net, I'm peacefully asleep,

That in his mercy I be judged, as big enough to keep.

Condolence cards may be sent to the family at www.jacksonfuneralservice.com or P.O. Box 945, Hendersonville, NC 28793.