John Freechack

John Henry Freechack, devoted husband and father, passed away on Dec. 23, 2009, at 86 in the Ashford Court Assisted Living facility in Jacksonville Beach.

He was born in Brownsville, Pa., on July 4, 1923, to John and Rose Freechack, first-generation Americans from Czechoslovakia.

John was predeceased by siblings Robert, James and Rose.

He is survived by sister Betty Lou Walters of Pennsylvania.

He was married to his beloved wife, Phyllis for 57 loving years. She passed away in 2003. John is survived by his three children, Cheryl Pearson (James), Ponte Vedra Beach; John Freechack (Cathy), Northfield, Ill.; and Keith Freechack (Lisa), Eden Prairie, Minn. John was a loving grandfather to seven grandchildren.

In World War II, John served in the U.S. Army Air Force in England as a member of the 546th Bomber Squadron. There he played the guitar in a military band, bringing pleasure to those around him. The guitar and music in all its forms remained a lifelong source of joy to John.

A graduate of West Virginia University, John was a certified public accountant and embarked on a career in finance that took his family to many homes throughout the Midwest. John and Phyllis retired to St. Augustine in 1988.

A gathering of family and friends will be held today from 4 to 6 p.m. at Quinn-Shalz Funeral Home, 3600 Third St. South, Jacksonville Beach.

Memorial donations may be made in John"s name to The Care Connection, Council on Aging, 180 Marine St., St. Augustine, FL 32084.

Please visit the online tribute at www.quinn-shalz.com. Services are under the direction and care of Quinn-Shalz.