In Memory of John C. Scala

Obituary

John C. Scala, born October 12, 1945, in Utica, New York, the son of Albert C. and Catherine Meehan Scala, passed away on March 14, 2026. He attended local schools and graduated from New Hartford High School and Utica College of Syracuse University.

He began his career as a third-generation funeral director with Scala Funeral Home. He later worked as an insurance broker with Wehl & Scala Insurance Agency and spent several years with Thomas R. Mazzotta Real Estate. He went on to work for Utica Mutual Insurance Company as a Commercial Lines Liability Account Underwriter in the Insurance Agents and Brokers Liability Department. He later relocated to New Jersey where he worked for AIG as a Regional Underwriting Manager before retiring in 2009. After retirement, he moved to North Carolina.

He is survived by his wife and best friend, Eileen. His children, Rebecca (Sean) Mulqueen, Jessica (Ray) Romano, and Matthew (Ashley) Scala; and his stepchildren, Graham (Andy) Smith and Kimberly (Matt) Reynolds. He also leaves 5 siblings, Judy Everett, Tom (Carol) Scala, Peter (Judi) Scala, Jeanne (Tim) Nickels, Paul (Margaret) Scala. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren, Nicholas Bennett, Alexis (Kyle) Kimsey, Gabriella Romano, Benjamin Romano, Dean Scala, Hailey Scala, Kenny (Emily) Brown, and Megan Brown; and 4 great-grandchildren, Riley Merzlak, Eveigh Mayhew, Theodore Brown and Caden John Kimsey.

He will be remembered for his quick sense of humor and playful teasing, his love of cooking and gardening, and, most of all, for the deep love he had for his family and the traditions that brought them together.

His cremains will be interred at Calvary Cemetery in Utica, New York. Arrangements are with Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral and Cremation Services, 13 Oxford Rd., New Hartford.

For online expressions of sympathy go to fwefh.com.