Hon. John Jay Covolo
March 7, 1951 ~ April 28, 2019
ROCKY MOUNT - Judge John Jay Covolo passed away Sunday, April 28, 2019 after a long battle with bladder cancer. He was 68. Born on March 7, 1951 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, he was the son of Angelo and Doris Covolo, and his early years were marked by his love of cowboys and the old American West. After the unexpected death of his father in 1963, John and the rest of his family moved to South Carolina, where John would ultimately graduate from the University of South Carolina with a degree in radio broadcasting in 1973.
After proudly serving his country as a Lawyer's Assistant while stationed in Germany in the United States Army from 1973 to 1976, John would work as an employment specialist with the N.C. Employment Security Commission before graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law in 1985. John would then begin his incredibly distinguished legal career in 1986.
Known for his compassion, quick wit, sense of fairness, and an infectious sense of humor, John Covolo served tirelessly as an assistant district attorney for 16 years, prosecuting more than 500 jury trials prior to his judicial appointment in 2006. He was a district court judge for the 7th Judicial District, serving Nash, Wilson, and Edgecombe Counties.
A testament to John and those who loved him can be found in an article written by Olivia Neeley of the Wilson Daily Times in January of 2017. Neeley speaks of the time when multiple members of the judicial community shaved their heads as a sign of solidarity in John's fight against cancer, and she quotes John's dear friend, Judge Albert Thomas, as saying, "[Covolo's] such a special person. He's someone who really cares about peoplealways has. He's the most pleasant person to have in the courtroom. It's easy to want to do anything to help him." A devoted father and friend, avid movie-watcher, animal lover, and maker of his famous spaghetti, John was loved dearly by his coworkers and his family, and he will be truly missed.
John was preceded in death by his mother, Doris Covolo, father, Angelo Covolo, and sister, Linda Covolo Jordon of Conetoe, NC. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his three children, Duncan Barnes of San Jose, California, Cameron and Clark Covolo, and their mother, Beth Covolo, of Rocky Mount, as well as his nephew, Joshua Jordan, and his wife and son, Betty and Angelo, of Greensboro, NC.
A Celebration of John's Life will be held on Friday, May 3, 2019 at 2:00 PM at Lakeside Baptist Church, 1501 Sunset Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 with Dr. Jody Wright officiating. Following the service, the family will receive friends in the Sugg Foyer of the Kincheloe Building.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Animal Crackers at P.O. Box 8860, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
Visitation
Lakeside Baptist Church Sugg Foyer of the Kincheloe Building
1501 Sunset Avemue
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
Friday 5/3, 2:45 am - 4:00 pm
Following the service, the family will receive friends in the Sugg Foyer of the Kincheloe Building.
Service
Lakeside Baptist Church
1501 Sunset Avenue
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Friday 5/3, 2:00 pm - 2:45 pm
A Celebration of John's Life will be held on Friday, May 3, 2019 at 2:00 PM at Lakeside Baptist Church, 1501 Sunset Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 with Dr. Jody Wright officiating.
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Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
I am thankful John no longer suffers, but oh how those left behind do! John was my friend for over 30 years. We came to this district to work within six months of each other. We were there for each other through the good and the bad times. John had a unique personality. He was sincere, sensitive, smart, encouraging, funny and definitely Italian. I will miss him so much.
Heaven has received another angel and I have lost an amazing friend.
In memory of Hon. John Jay Covolo, Karen Woodard lit a candle
Rest in peace Your Honor.
In memory of Hon. John Jay Covolo, Dina Davis lit a candle
In memory of Hon. John Jay Covolo, Kay Burgwyn lit a candle
My deepest condolences to the Covolo family. Judge Covolo will surely be missed.
SHINING STAR The angels looked down from heaven one night. They searched for miles afar, And deep within the distance They could see a shining star. They knew that very instant That the star was theirs to gain, So they took you up to heaven, Forever to remain. Look down on us from heaven. Keep us free from hurt and pain. You’ll always be within my heart Until we meet again. Source httpswww.familyfriendpoems.com It was an honor to know and work with Judge Covolo. I will miss him dearly. Thoughts and prayers with all of you.
I will dearly miss you my special friend! We remained close until the bitter end, which came too soon for me. You’ll always remain close to my heart.
Rest in Peace Your Honor. Thank you for your service! You will be missed!
1 Corinthians 13 4-8 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. You will carry on in our hearts Judge Covolo and we will miss you so much. We pray for peace for your family and friends.
In memory of Hon. John Jay Covolo, Elizabeth Fairman lit a candle
In memory of Hon. John Jay Covolo, Karen Johnson lit a candle
In memory of Hon. John Jay Covolo, April Bunn lit a candle
Our Thoughts and prayers are with the family during this tough time.
In memory of Hon. John J. Covolo, Joanne Lucas-Booswell lit a candle
In memory of Hon. John J. Covolo, Etta Barkley lit a candle
In memory of Hon. John J. Covolo, Mary Jo Farmer – GAL lit a candle
In memory of Hon. John J. Covolo, Walter Godwin lit a candle
In memory of Hon. John J. Covolo, Toby Fitch lit a candle
John was a great friend and a wonderful human being. I will miss him deeply. My sincerest condolences on your profound loss.
My heart breaks learning of this fine mans passing. I am thankful for the time I shared working with Judge Covolo and will never get the kind words he always had for me. It’s safe to say the 7th Judicial District lost one of its finest members and will never be the same. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of those whose heart
I had the pleasure of working many times in the courtroom with Judge Covolo. He was so much fun to work with. His witty jokes, sense of humor and telling it like it was I will miss. Heaven gained a wonderful and dear friend.
so sorry for your loss. Judge Covolo was very witty and personable. He could make you laugh on your worst day! I will truly miss him
GOD BE WITH YOU ALL DURING THIS TIME, HE WAS A GREAT MAN AND FRIEND
In memory of Hon. John Jay Covolo, Walter Godwin lit a candle
So sorry to hear this sad news, will miss him and his enjoyable wit!!
In memory of Hon. John Jay Covolo, Dinise Williams lit a candle
Prayers for the family. He was such a great man with a loving heart. Thank you for helping my family Sir….May you rest in peace.
Thinking off the family your neighbor from Conetoe Sonia and Johnny will miss you and thank you for the the friendship and love your family share it with us
In memory of Hon. John Jay Covolo, George and Beezie Whitaker lit a candle
Thank you for your friendship and guidance over the years. I will always remember your compassion, integrity and your tenacity. You were a credit to the legal profession and I will continue to tell cadets in the Academy about your influence in my own career as well as other officers who you so professionally worked with throughout the years. You were a great man.
In memory of Hon. John Jay Covolo, Jay Harrell lit a candle
We will miss you at Wilson vet! Such a sweet man and would give the shirt off his back! Thank you for all the advice you’ve given me at times I needed it!!!
My deepest condolences for the family.
In memory of Hon. John Jay Covolo, Jackie Barnes lit a candle
Sincere Prayers for the family. May God’s peace be with you.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family. Judge John Covolo was a remarkable and caring man. I am honored to have worked with him in court and to be his friend. He will be missed so much by everyone. Rest now my friend. Heaven has gained an angel.
You will be sorely missed. May God bless you and your family.
In memory of Hon. John Jay Covolo, Zee Powell lit a candle
Beth & family, I am so very sorry to hear about John. I didn’t know until today when I saw it in the newspaper. My condolences to ALL of you. Please know that heaven has gained an angel and he will be missed by many. May he rest in the arms of the Almighty. I love you all.
Beth and family. Carlos and I heavy hearts for you and family. John was a dear friend, who had a great sense of humor. We had really great times with him. John will be truly missed.
In memory of Hon. John Jay Covolo, Mindy Beach lit a candle
A truly dedicated ADA and District Court Judge who will be truly missed. He helped to mold some of my talents and abilities gained in my law enforcement career.
In memory of Hon. John Jay Covolo, Miguel & Helen Valdez lit a candle
Sending my deepest condolences to Cameron, Clark and Duncan and to all those who loved the Judge. All my love, Cheryl
In memory of Hon. John Jay Covolo, Mildred Woodard lit a candle
I am so sorry to hear of John’s passing. I had not known but am not surprised at his accomplishments, which I just read in his obituary. He was always a good-hearted and jovial person. We were students at Eau Claire High School in Columbia, though he was a year ahead of me. We were both involved with an extremely ecumenical group of students, headed by John’s friend Kellum Allen, who led youth revivals at College Place Methodist Church (my home church) in Columbia. Please know that those friends of his youth mourn his passing and pray that your memories are sweet and of great comfort to all of the family.
He was an asshole! He railroads innocent people!