B135770 Rifleman John Joseph Macina was born in Naples, Italy on 2 August 1923, the son of Gaetano Macina and Lucy Waina Cossettino.

He came to Canada as a child and attended St Mary’s School in Toronto. He was active in sports including hockey, baseball, rugby, bowling and boxing, and had four brothers and six sisters.

Macina enlisted on 10 November 1942 with the Canadian Infantry. He trained in Orillia and Borden before arriving in the UK on 4 April 1943. On 11 June 1943, he was transferred to The Queen’s Own Rifles and continued his training for another year.

Rifleman Macina landed on Juno Beach with D Company on D-Day, 6 June 1944.

He was initially reported missing but later confirmed killed in action during the battle for Le Mesnil Patry, on 11 June 1944, aged 20.

He is buried in Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, grave reference III. F. 11.