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John Payak Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for John Payak
Utz Wenninger-McMahon
March 9, 2009
Dear Mrs. Payak , Please accept my sincere sympathy for Mr. Payak. I knew Mr. Payak as your next door neighbor and babysitter for Johnnie. I remember he always walked me to my front door after babysitting. Ever so Kind. Utz
Heather Boyd
March 8, 2009
Ethel, you and your family are in my prayers. In the 3 years I worked with John at Kingston he became like a father to me, always caring and a shoulder you could lean on, so caring and generous. I will miss him dearly. He is with his savior and that will hopefully give you some comfort. My deepest sympathy.
Alvina Kopaniasz
March 4, 2009
Dear Ethel & Family,
My sincerest sympathy and prayers go out to you in the loss of your dear husband and father. He is in a much better place now.
Don't know if you remember me........it has been a VERY long time.
Alvina (Franczyk) Kopaniasz (now in Palm Harbor, Florida)
Clark Folgate
March 4, 2009
I was a Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity brother of John's at Bowling Green. It was great watching him play basketball at BGSU under coach Harold Anderson. I last talked with John at "Peanuts" Long funeral service. John's bearing was always so regal. His keen insights and quick wit made being with him both a learning experience and fun.When told of his passing I was reminded of this verse from Psalm 73:26: "My flesh and my heart faileth; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
Ethel, John and Family you are in my prayers.
Marci & Joe Williams
March 4, 2009
Terri,
Joe and I want to express our sympathies to you on the loss of your father-in-law. We think of you often.
Bob & Kathy Michalak
March 4, 2009
My Dearest Ethel:
Bob & I were saddened to hear of John's passing. You and John,III will be in our prayers. God Bless you both during your time of sorrow.
Rick Hogan
March 3, 2009
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Sara Donbrosky
March 3, 2009
Ethel,
I am very sorry to hear about John. I took care of him for awhile when he was at Kingston Care Center and I will never forget his charm and great sense of humor. May the love of loved ones and friends carry you through this hard time.
Robert and Rita Stickels
March 3, 2009
Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.
Bob Maison
March 3, 2009
One of the finest gentlemen I ever met ! My prayers are with the family.
Sharon Cross
March 3, 2009
Mrs. Payak, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Your and Mr. Payak were great landlords and reading about him in the paper brought back a flood of memories about renting the 3 room apartment behind the offices in the old building. I moved in with my son in 1965 and left in 1969 with my husband and 2 children with a third on the way. I am not too sure you and your son will remember us, but I will always remember you and Mr. Payak. Please know my thoughts are with you now and in the days to come.
Penny Oswald
March 3, 2009
So sorry to hear of your loss- what a wonderful, accomplished gentleman John was in many walks of life. Linda Graver and I were tenants who lived above the insurance agency some 17-18 years ago and you all were just wonderful to us. Please know you and your family are in my prayers at this difficult time.
norman wolfe
March 3, 2009
To the payak family-
john and i were in the same class at woodward and i wrote many stories in the tatler and toledo times about him and that great team of 1944 which lost the state championship in overtime..we were also counelors at camp big silver and he was always such fun and such an easy-going guy.i last saw him at our 50th class reunion.he is a big part of what was a happy time in my life.
JD
March 3, 2009
I'm sorry to hear of your loss. May you find rest and comfort in these difficult times in the arms of Jesus.
Eddie Zunkiewicz Nature Beverage Co.
March 3, 2009
John and family,
Our deepest sympathy. So sorry
for your loss. I am only a call
away if you ever need anything.
Bud and Fran Roon
March 3, 2009
Ethel,
I talked to John everyweek for the last several years. I know he was discouraged, but he never gave up hope, nor did we. We love you guys, and know that John is now with our Lord. May God comfort you and your family.
Dick Brown
March 2, 2009
The news of John's death reached me today and I want to offer sincere condolences to the Payak family. I got to know John as a fraternity brother in Sigma Alpha Epsilon at Bowling Green. What a class and intelligent guy. My deepest sympathy to Ethel and children.
Les & Peg Belch
March 2, 2009
John, Terri, Robert, and Ethel----Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Even though we can't come to Ohio to and be at the funeral in person, please know that we will be there in spirit. John, your dad was a heck of a guy and the world is definitely a better place because he was here. We never had a conversation with him that we didn't thoroughly enjoy. You have our deepest sympathy.
Phyllis M Belch
March 2, 2009
To the Payak family, you have my sincere sympathy. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Mike & Alison Straub (Skaff)
March 2, 2009
To the Payak Family,
We are very sorry to hear of your loss. My family loved Mr. Payak. He was a great friend to my mom and dad. Now they are all together. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Fr. Arthur Jakobiak
March 2, 2009
"Happy are the dead who die in the Lord! The spirit added, "Yes they shall find rest from their labors, for their good works accompany them". Rev 13
Dan & Joanne Jakobiak
March 2, 2009
Ethel,
So sorry to hear of John's passing. Our deepest condolences to you and the family. We always enjoyed both of you, not only as family, but as friends and great people to be with when we visited Toledo. We'll keep all of you in our prayers.
John Wirth
March 2, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Karen (Koon) Bartmess
March 2, 2009
I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. Payak gave me my very first job while I was in a vocational secretary program at Whitmer. Both Mr. and Mrs. Payak were very nice people to work for.
Tuffy Reason
March 2, 2009
Through my friendship with Jack Kennedy and our basketball backgrounds, I got to know John. We had some engaging, truly interesting conversations at the Hilton and Laura Murphy "margarita" parties each year. John was such an innate, extremely intelligent fellow. One time I recall he made a comment, not in a boastful way, how he had considered attending one of the Ivy League schools. That was not surprising to me because John was so bright. He was such a good listener, never tried to dominate a conversation and, of course, when John had something to say, everyone listened. He made his points, explained himself so well. No surprise he was an outstanding M.A.C. basketball offical and commissioner and such a successful businessman with his insurance agency. John made a tremendous impression on me and I will never forget him. Everyone liked the guy! Our condolences to the Payak family.
Tuffy and Jan Reason
Chris & Lisa Neeson
March 2, 2009
I'm sorry to hear about your father's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Rick Michalak
March 2, 2009
John III
My thoughts and prayers are with you and the entire family. Your father was the epitome of class.
Craig Rush
March 2, 2009
John, Terri & Robert,
Sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Unfortunately I will be out of town this week and unable to attend the viewing or service, but will nonetheless be thinking about all of you at this difficult time.
Sherrie Duris
March 2, 2009
John, Terri & Family
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief.
Buzz Mewhort
March 2, 2009
Recognized as the best basketball official in the game, John was an even better person and terrific community asset. They don't come any better.
The Mewhort family extends its deepest sympathy to the Payak family.
Tony Cardillo
March 2, 2009
I am so thankful for John and his many years of freindship. Not only for my father, Peter Cardillo but for myself... and will miss him very much.
Mitch & Nadine Felton
March 2, 2009
John, Terri and Robert,
We were so saddened to hear about your father & grandfather. What a wonderful man and legacy he leaves in all of you. He always had that little "twinkle" in his eye, enjoying life. It's difficult at any age so we pray that God will keep you close and give you strength to get through the upcoming days. Keeping you in our prayers and always here if you need anything.
Love you, Mitch, Nadine, Alyssa, Toria and Ari
Jay Leyden
March 2, 2009
John III,
It was good to talk with you yesterday even though under difficult circumstances. Sara and I, as well as my mom and sisters, all send our heartfelt condolences on the loss of your father. Our thoughts and prayer's are with you, your mom, Robert and Terri. Your Dad was a very special person and a very humble man. I know he'll be deeply missed by the many lives he touched.
The Leyden's
Barb Atherine
March 1, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Payak family. Pete and Barb Atherine
Joe Jacobs
March 1, 2009
A great guy..he will be missed.
Richard Bracker
March 1, 2009
My thoughts are wtih your entire family from a former Toledoan.
I didn't know John, but always admired him from afar while he was a player.
Vince Wuwert
March 1, 2009
John was rules interpreter when I was in my first year of officiating. He had the ability to teach the rules as well as officiate the game. The fascinating stories about games he worked kept me mesmorized. A wonderful teacher of character and professionalism will be greatly missed. A Hall of Famer in many aspects of his life. Deepest sympathy to the family.
John & Juliet Stoepler
March 1, 2009
Mrs. Payak, John, Terri and Robert,
We are extremely sorry for your loss. Our deepest condolences.
Mr. Payak's larger-than-life personality, humor and generosity will be fondly remembered. He has left a great legacy.
God Bless you all. You will remain foremost in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Jim Hof
March 1, 2009
Ethel:
What a shock. What a loss for your family and me. What wonderful times we had at BGSU. Will never forget John and I going to Mass together during the 1949 NIT in New York. You were a wonderful wife and friend. Love to you and your family. Jim Hof
GEORGE PANOS
March 1, 2009
GOOD BYE OLD BASKETBALL FRIEND. WE PLAYED A FEW GAMES AGAINST EACH OTHER AND YOU WERE ONE OF THE VERY BEST.
Anne Hoover
March 1, 2009
Ethel, my thoughts and prayers are with you. I remember all the good times we had when you were in Florida. May you find peace and comfort at this time of sorrow.
Noreen Leyden
March 1, 2009
John, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Chester Lipinski
March 1, 2009
Ethel : I'm sorry I can't personally offer my condolences on your loss . We now live in Colorado to be here our youngest daughter as we grow old and it is a long drive back to Toledo . Reading his obituary brings back so many memories of him .
Verl Sell
March 1, 2009
To The Payak Family!
Please accept my deepest sympathy. Our prayers will be with you.
Verl Sell, Big Ten Conference
Larry Murnen
March 1, 2009
We would like to offer our sincere condolences to the Payak family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. My memory of Mr. Payak (John) is of a man of integrity who always displayed and great deal of class. His influence touched many.
Therese Joseph
March 1, 2009
Our entire family loved Mr. Payak. My memories of him go as far back as I can remember. His warmth, his loyalty, his kindness....all characteristics I will remember forever. So sorry Mrs. Payak and Johnny for your loss. Love, Therese
Kenneth Hatzinikolis & Family
March 1, 2009
To The entire Payak family,
Our heart goes out to your family. For many years, John was a big part of our family, insuring all of our kids when they first started driving. My fond memories of John go back much further, (To the old Northend) and what great memories they are. John was a great man with a big heart. We will miss him very much. May your family find peace through this difficult time and know that our prayers are with you.
Rick & Mary Ann Weber
March 1, 2009
John, our deepest sympathies
Aileen, Nora and Stefanie Wozniak
March 1, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
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