John Yonel Averella

Sergeant Major John Yonel Averella passed away on November 12, 2022.  He was born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1951 to Sabestian Averella and Lydia (Shieko) Averella. He graduated from Patapsco high school in 1969 and enlisted in the Army. He served in Vietnam from 1970-71 in the 173rd Airborne.

Upon returning he spent his life advocating for other veterans. He helped to found the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 451, renaming the Hanover Street Bridge the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge, helped to start McVet and many other things.  In his civilian life he worked for the United States Postal Service ending his career as Postmaster in Arnold, Maryland.  He also received his BA in Business Administration from University of Baltimore.  In 2006 he moved to Murrells Inlet, South Carolina to play golf and enjoy his retirement. In 2020 he was the commander of the Murrells Inlet Chapter of the VFW.  He loved his family and his dogs Daisy and Raven. He will be missed by the many people he touched in his life.   

The family will receive friends at the Connelly Funeral Home of Dundalk, 7110 Sollers Point Rd. on Monday, November 21st from 2-4 & 6-8pm. A funeral service for John will be held on Tuesday, November 22nd at 1pm from the funeral home. Interment to follow at Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery.