Obituary of John Allen Punola

John A. Punola was born a coal miner’s son in McDonald, PA. He helped with family finances by tending a trapline and tending the pelts. Baseball was his sport; even being asked to train for the Pittsburgh Pirates. John attended Robert Morris College to gain more business skills.

His WWII Navy veteran uncles encouraged him to join the army during the Korean War. He served with the 1^st Calvary Division in the service company of the 8^th regiment. As a result, John became proficient at Logistics. Upon his honorable discharge, he joined American Legion Post 485. Being the first Korean War veteran to join, the post chose him as their Commander.

John was hired by the Katy Railroad for Logistics and later by Allied Shippers, Inc. At this time, the family man moved to Madison, NJ, with his wife, Dolores, and their daughter, Carolyn. John played baseball with the Madison Pharmacy Team. He was also an avid bowler with high scores.

Fishing was his favorite past time. His father taught him fly fishing, but John preferred the spinning rod. Shad became his favorite fish. He wrote many fishing books, gave instructive fishing lectures, and appeared on outdoor TV shows. Fellow Outdoor Writer of America, Jim Stabile, dubbed him “the Shadman”. Following the shad migration to Maine, John joined the Veazie Salmon Club.

Later, John formed the Outdoor U.S.A. Company. For fifteen years, he held Sportsman’s Shows at the Parsippany PAL. Dolores had passed away and he met his second wife, Nancy, who was working at the NRA booth for one of John’s shows. John never stopped promoting new ideas. He enjoyed polkas, so he invited polka bands from Cleveland, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Canada to perform in N.J. Nancy and John would dance the night away.

Upon marrying Nancy, a DAR member, John’s interest in American History peaked. He participated in numerous Revolutionary war and Civil War events. John really enjoyed WWII air shows, flying in a B17 on three different occasions and interviewing WWII veterans on stage at Mid-Atlantic Airport in Reading; Rosie the Riveter (Dorothy Trate), WASP (Bee Falk Haydu and Luftwaffe pilot (Gottfried P. Dulias). John sought unusual Civil War stories, such as the train wreck of Confederate prisoners on their way to Elmira, NY. John also dabbled in metal detecting to find historical artifacts and then sharing his findings in writing.

John never stopped doing the many things he loved; always leading and embracing every moment to the fullest. John loved life.

Donations in John’s memory may be given to the following:

American Legion Post 43

Madison/Florham Park

20 Ridgedale Ave.

Florham Park, NJ  07932

Lehigh River Stocking Association

Attn: Tom Gyory

2075 Red Hill Road

Slatington, PA  18080

Veazie Salmon Club

Att. Bob Wengrzynek

30 Old County Road

Veazie, ME  04401