Obituary for John J. Stach
John J. Stach, 93, of Jamesville, NY, died on November 6, 2020, at his home with family present, concluding a long and busy life. “Poppa John,” as he was known to the entire Jamesville community, was a life-long resident of Jamesville, born in 1927 to Joseph and Anna (Stragar) Stach. John attended Jamesville High School. He was a World War II Veteran who joined the Navy at the age of 17, served as a Seaman First Class during a tour of the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, and was honorably discharged in late 1946. John married Leonora Marziale in 1948, having recently celebrated their 72nd Wedding Anniversary.
John was a welder who retired in 1989 from the Carrier Corporation after 12 years. He had previously worked for Syracuse Engineering for 22 years, and prior to that for Rollie Iron and the Solvay Process Company.
John joined the Jamesville Fire Department in 1958 and remained a member until his passing. He was awarded the “Fireman of the Year” Award in 1980, served on the Executive Committee for many years, held the positions of Truck Captain and Fire Police Captain, and continued to serve as a member of the Fire Police until his passing. On August 5, 2017, John received the Onondaga County Volunteer Firemen’s Association “Red Jacket” Award in recognition of his dedication to the Fire Department and the greater Jamesville community. He participated yearly in the Jamesville Balloon Fest and until recently he marched in every parade, worked all of the Turkey Raffles, and helped with the Lenten Fish Fry. Whatever needed to be done around the firehouse was usually taken care of by John.
John was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Jamesville where he served as both a trustee and as a member of the Parish Council. Upon the closing of St. Mary’s, John enthusiastically became a member of Holy Cross Parish in Dewitt. In his younger days, John enjoyed golfing and bowling with his friends in local leagues, and after he retired he paid even more attention to his family. John’s motto was “Take care of family first – all else will fall in line.”
John particularly enjoyed supporting Syracuse University and its football, basketball, and lacrosse teams. He and Leonora attended many sporting events over the years at Archbold Stadium, Manley Fieldhouse, and the Carrier Dome, and continued to do so until just a few years ago. His impact on the lives of his family and the Jamesville community will long be remembered.
John is predeceased by his parents and his sister, Mary Hattala. John is survived by his wife Leonora; his children, Kenneth (Patricia) Stach of Clay, Richard (Nina) Stach of Jamesville, and Ellen (Jerome) Pristash of Fayetteville; his sister Wilma (Frank) Frydrychowicz, of Dewitt; his grandchildren, Ashley (Preston) Shumpert, Justin (Jillian) Stach, Nicole (Jeffrey) March, Erica (Scott McInnis) Stach, Anna (Timothy) Galanaugh, Kerry (Brandon) LaDue, and Monica (Kevin) Whiston; 7 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and other extended family.
Calling hours are 5 – 7 PM on Monday, November 9, 2020 at Holy Cross Church, 4112 East Genesee Street, Dewitt, NY 13214. A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated on Tuesday at 10AM, also at Holy Cross. Burial will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Jamesville.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages contributions in his memory be made to the George Stragar Scholarship Fund, c/o Jamesville Fire Department, 6661 E Seneca Turnpike, Jamesville, NY 13078 or the Jamesville Food Pantry, 6486 E Seneca Turnpike, Jamesville, NY 13078.
John was a welder who retired in 1989 from the Carrier Corporation after 12 years. He had previously worked for Syracuse Engineering for 22 years, and prior to that for Rollie Iron and the Solvay Process Company.
John joined the Jamesville Fire Department in 1958 and remained a member until his passing. He was awarded the “Fireman of the Year” Award in 1980, served on the Executive Committee for many years, held the positions of Truck Captain and Fire Police Captain, and continued to serve as a member of the Fire Police until his passing. On August 5, 2017, John received the Onondaga County Volunteer Firemen’s Association “Red Jacket” Award in recognition of his dedication to the Fire Department and the greater Jamesville community. He participated yearly in the Jamesville Balloon Fest and until recently he marched in every parade, worked all of the Turkey Raffles, and helped with the Lenten Fish Fry. Whatever needed to be done around the firehouse was usually taken care of by John.
John was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Jamesville where he served as both a trustee and as a member of the Parish Council. Upon the closing of St. Mary’s, John enthusiastically became a member of Holy Cross Parish in Dewitt. In his younger days, John enjoyed golfing and bowling with his friends in local leagues, and after he retired he paid even more attention to his family. John’s motto was “Take care of family first – all else will fall in line.”
John particularly enjoyed supporting Syracuse University and its football, basketball, and lacrosse teams. He and Leonora attended many sporting events over the years at Archbold Stadium, Manley Fieldhouse, and the Carrier Dome, and continued to do so until just a few years ago. His impact on the lives of his family and the Jamesville community will long be remembered.
John is predeceased by his parents and his sister, Mary Hattala. John is survived by his wife Leonora; his children, Kenneth (Patricia) Stach of Clay, Richard (Nina) Stach of Jamesville, and Ellen (Jerome) Pristash of Fayetteville; his sister Wilma (Frank) Frydrychowicz, of Dewitt; his grandchildren, Ashley (Preston) Shumpert, Justin (Jillian) Stach, Nicole (Jeffrey) March, Erica (Scott McInnis) Stach, Anna (Timothy) Galanaugh, Kerry (Brandon) LaDue, and Monica (Kevin) Whiston; 7 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and other extended family.
Calling hours are 5 – 7 PM on Monday, November 9, 2020 at Holy Cross Church, 4112 East Genesee Street, Dewitt, NY 13214. A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated on Tuesday at 10AM, also at Holy Cross. Burial will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Jamesville.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages contributions in his memory be made to the George Stragar Scholarship Fund, c/o Jamesville Fire Department, 6661 E Seneca Turnpike, Jamesville, NY 13078 or the Jamesville Food Pantry, 6486 E Seneca Turnpike, Jamesville, NY 13078.