Obituary for John Frederick Passonno
John Frederick Passonno, 78, of Fayetteville, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, at home with hospice care after a hard-fought battle with cancer.
John was born on December 7, 1942 to Dorothy and Ralph Passonno in Troy, NY. After graduating from Troy High School in 1958, he continued his studies at The University of Miami where he played golf.
After graduation, he took a position as the teaching assistant PGA golf professional at the Country Club of Miami, Indian Creekside. John moved back north after a couple of nice years in the sun, to join his father in business as a manufacturer's representative. This would be a profession he would enjoy for the next 56 years of his life. In 1968, he met Janice, and they wed in 1969, going on to have three children, Kristin, Jennifer and John Jr.
John was the most faithful, honest, loving and supportive husband, father, best friend and business partner anyone could have ever hoped or prayed for. His family meant more to him than anything else in the world, as he did to them. He was unendingly proud of Kristin, Jennifer, and John. He was an example of how to be a bright light in the community, being a good person/friend and always treating others as he would like to be treated.
John was a man of God, attending daily mass and often acting as Eucharistic Minister at Holy Cross Church in DeWitt. Every Friday at St Joseph’s Hospital, he would volunteer his time and faith to deliver the eucharist to the sick and bed ridden.
John was also a passionate fan of many sports. In 1998, he was inducted into the Troy High School Sports Hall of Fame, being recognized for both Golf and Baseball. John was an excellent pitcher coming out of High School. He pitched for the Albany Haymakers and was drafted by Major League Baseball’s Kansas City Athletics in 1958. He enjoyed golf, Syracuse Athletics and attending anything in which his children took part. He would never miss a chance to show his support. He was a past President and Board Member for both the Syracuse Golf Association and The Syracuse University Basketball programs Hardwood Booster Club. John was the golf coach for Christian Brothers Academy in Syracuse for 35 years. A role he cherished very much. He loved teaching the young men about not only the game of golf, but what it means to be a gentleman on and off the course. He always stressed proper etiquette and honesty.
Anyone who knew John knew that he was the most loving father and husband a family could ask for. John was predeceased by his younger brother Shannon Passonno. He is survived by Janice (Asmus) Passonno, his loving wife of 52 years; his children Kristin Peters (Auburn, NY), Jennifer and Mark Hartsell (Bridgewater, MA), and John and Shana Passonno (Longmeadow, MA); his brother and sister-in-law, Ralph and Hannalori Passonno (Troy, NY); along with many cherished friends he met along the way. He was a very lucky man to also enjoy, love and brag about his seven grandchildren, Luke and Taylor Peters, Austin, Chase and Kenley Hartsell and Ainsley and Jackson Passonno.
There will be calling hours at Eaton-Tubbs Fayetteville Chapel of Schepp Family Funeral Homes, 7191 E. Genesee Street Fayetteville, NY 13066 from 4-7pm on Wednesday February 24. A funeral Mass will take place at 10am Thursday February 25 at Holy Cross Church in DeWitt. Burial to follow at St Mary’s Cemetery in DeWitt.
The family requests that a donation be made to Hospice of CNY, 990 7th Street, Liverpool New York 13088 (phone 315-634-1100) in lieu of flowers.
John was born on December 7, 1942 to Dorothy and Ralph Passonno in Troy, NY. After graduating from Troy High School in 1958, he continued his studies at The University of Miami where he played golf.
After graduation, he took a position as the teaching assistant PGA golf professional at the Country Club of Miami, Indian Creekside. John moved back north after a couple of nice years in the sun, to join his father in business as a manufacturer's representative. This would be a profession he would enjoy for the next 56 years of his life. In 1968, he met Janice, and they wed in 1969, going on to have three children, Kristin, Jennifer and John Jr.
John was the most faithful, honest, loving and supportive husband, father, best friend and business partner anyone could have ever hoped or prayed for. His family meant more to him than anything else in the world, as he did to them. He was unendingly proud of Kristin, Jennifer, and John. He was an example of how to be a bright light in the community, being a good person/friend and always treating others as he would like to be treated.
John was a man of God, attending daily mass and often acting as Eucharistic Minister at Holy Cross Church in DeWitt. Every Friday at St Joseph’s Hospital, he would volunteer his time and faith to deliver the eucharist to the sick and bed ridden.
John was also a passionate fan of many sports. In 1998, he was inducted into the Troy High School Sports Hall of Fame, being recognized for both Golf and Baseball. John was an excellent pitcher coming out of High School. He pitched for the Albany Haymakers and was drafted by Major League Baseball’s Kansas City Athletics in 1958. He enjoyed golf, Syracuse Athletics and attending anything in which his children took part. He would never miss a chance to show his support. He was a past President and Board Member for both the Syracuse Golf Association and The Syracuse University Basketball programs Hardwood Booster Club. John was the golf coach for Christian Brothers Academy in Syracuse for 35 years. A role he cherished very much. He loved teaching the young men about not only the game of golf, but what it means to be a gentleman on and off the course. He always stressed proper etiquette and honesty.
Anyone who knew John knew that he was the most loving father and husband a family could ask for. John was predeceased by his younger brother Shannon Passonno. He is survived by Janice (Asmus) Passonno, his loving wife of 52 years; his children Kristin Peters (Auburn, NY), Jennifer and Mark Hartsell (Bridgewater, MA), and John and Shana Passonno (Longmeadow, MA); his brother and sister-in-law, Ralph and Hannalori Passonno (Troy, NY); along with many cherished friends he met along the way. He was a very lucky man to also enjoy, love and brag about his seven grandchildren, Luke and Taylor Peters, Austin, Chase and Kenley Hartsell and Ainsley and Jackson Passonno.
There will be calling hours at Eaton-Tubbs Fayetteville Chapel of Schepp Family Funeral Homes, 7191 E. Genesee Street Fayetteville, NY 13066 from 4-7pm on Wednesday February 24. A funeral Mass will take place at 10am Thursday February 25 at Holy Cross Church in DeWitt. Burial to follow at St Mary’s Cemetery in DeWitt.
The family requests that a donation be made to Hospice of CNY, 990 7th Street, Liverpool New York 13088 (phone 315-634-1100) in lieu of flowers.