Amandio James "A.J." DeCoito, 82, of Groveland, passed away unexpectedly on July 5, 2017, at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington.

He was born in Peabody on July 29, 1934, son of the late Amandio and Mary (Semis) DeCoito.

He was educated in Bradford, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 18. A.J. served on the Aircraft Carrier USS Oriskany in the Korean War.

A.J. was self-employed in the construction industry for most of his career. He enjoyed reading and spending time passing a joke or two with family.

He was the former husband of Mildred Goutier and leaves his three children, James A. of Groveland, Diane M. of Groveland, and Annette J. Putnam of Bristol, N.H. as well as Catherine Conway of Bethpage, Tenn. and Joanne Termini of Amesbury Mass.; siblings, Frank and Joseph of Mississippi, Daniel of Haverhill, Richard of Freemont, N.H., and Eileen Angers of Atkinson; grandchildren, Breyanne Yuszkus, Derek Forte, Elaina, and Joseph Putnam; two great-grandchildren, Gavin and Grayson Forte; as well as several nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of the late Tom, Robert, William, Isabell Mills, and Elaine Mortel; grandfather of the late Amandio J., James A. DeCoito and Jennifer Yuszkus.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the calling hours on Monday, July 10, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the H.L. Farmer & Sons Funeral Home, 106 Summer St., Haverhill. A graveside service with Naval honors will be held on Tuesday, July 11, at 11 a.m. in the Riverview Cemetery, Groveland. Contributions in his memory may be made to your local veteran's organization.

To share a memory or for more information, please visit www.farmerfuneralhomes.com.