SOUTH HADLEY – John A. Mielnikowski, 32, passed away on Saturday August 10, 2024. John was born in Springfield, son of Katherine (Dillon/Mielnikowski) Wegrzyn and the late John A. Mielnikowski. He graduated high school in 2010 from Pioneer Valley Performing Arts and 2013 at Greenfield Community College. He worked as a Personal Care Attendant for his grandmother, Theresa Dillon. John was passionate about music, sewing, photography, make-up and drag. He was a talented costume designer, making his mother's wedding dress and many custom character outfits and props for his friends and himself for performances and events. John is predeceased by his father John, his nanny and dzidzu, Mary (Wallace) and Alexander Mielnikowski, grandpa, James Dillon and uncle, James Dillon Jr. He leaves behind his mother, Katherine, sister Victoria Mielnikowski and step-father Kevin Wegrzyn all of South Hadley, grandma Theresa Dillon of Chicopee, a step brother, Casey Wegrzyn and his Fiancé Abbey of Ledyard, CT, three uncles; Dan Dillon, wife Patti,  2 children: Aaron and Raven, Brian Dillon (godfather), wife Kelly, and daughter Ruby;  and Sonny Mielnikowski, wife Carol, 2 children: Alex and Sarah; 6 aunts; Carole Collier, husband Kenny, 2 children: Chantal and Shane;  Kathleen Hartmann and son Brian; Mary Lou Makuch, husband Keith, 3 children: Erin (godmother), Michael, Kelly; Betsy Dillon and 4 children: Christy, Joshua, James and Rachael Dillon; Pam Little, husband Larry, 3 children: Ryan, Jennifer, Jason; Ella Hamilton, husband Chris, 2 children: Robin and Emily. John loved family time but a few second cousins were ever present in his life: Katie Kennedy, Kylie Kleszcynski, Makenzie Colson and our blessed yearly Christmas Eve with the whole Makuch family. John was involved in several communities of friends which included his Drag and Comicon communities who forever supported and loved him unconditionally. Our hearts hurt for the loss of John's gentle, loving manner and his uniqueness. Calling hours will be held for John on Sunday from 4-7 pm at The O'Brien Family Funeral Home, 33 Lamb St. South Hadley, MA 01075. A funeral service will take place at the Funeral Home on Monday at 10 am. Burial to follow at St. Stanislaus Cemetery, 800 Montgomery St., Chicopee, MA. Memorial donations can be made in John's honor to the Epilepsy Foundation at give.epilepsy.com.