John Alfred "Jack" Mosser

John (Jack) Mosser, 92 of Canton, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 19th, after several months of declining health.

Born September 1st, 1933, in Long Branch, New Jersey, he was the eldest son of the late Paul R. and Jennie (Florkowska) Mosser. John was raised as an "Army brat" and spent his childhood and youth at various Army bases that included: Ft. Hankock NJ, Ft. Eustis VA, Reading Army Airfield and Bethlehem, PA as his father was assigned. In 1949 his father received orders for Bremerhaven, Germany. Here John attended Bremerhaven American High School, where he played on the football and basketball teams.

In 1951, at the age of 17, John enlisted in the US Army with the 1st Infantry Division, 16th Infantry regiment in Zirndorf, Germany. This would begin his 21-year career in the Army. In 1954 he came back to the states and was assigned as a drill instructor at FT. Dix NJ. It was during this time, while visiting his parents in Bethlehem Pa, a blind date would forever change his life. He met his future wife, Naomi McNett, who was in nurses training in Allentown Pa, on a Robert Packer School of Nursing rotation. They would be married in 1955 and would enjoy 57 years of marriage before her passing in 2012.

John would continue to work his way up the ranks and in 1956 was a military advisor in heavy weapons for the Military Assistance Advisory Group and Army Mission in Shiraz, Iran. But in 1957 he would change his Army career path and became a Cryptologist/Linguist with the Army Security Agency. He would stay with the Army Security Agency the rest of his career and would see him stationed around the world at various duty stations with his family that included Bad Aibling, Germany, Paris France, Beruit Lebanon, Okinawa Japan and Bangkok Thailand. In 1970, John was given orders for Vietnam, where he served with the 8th Radio Relay Unit in Phu Bai. For his service in Vietnam, he was awarded the Bronze Star. Upon returning to the states, he was stationed at Ft. Meade Md, where he continued his work with the Army Security Agency and the National Security Agency. In 1972 he made the decision to retire from the Army, where he reached the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 3 and moved with his family to his wife Naomi's hometown of Canton.

It was in Canton that John finally had a hometown, and he quickly ingrained himself into the Canton community. John began working at Carson's Consumer Discount Co. in Troy, Pa, where he would eventually become manager. He had a 30-year association with Canton Little League, where he would fill the roles of coach, league officer, umpire and team sponsor. John also served on the Canton School Board, multiple terms on the town council, 2 terms as mayor and past Commander of VFW Post 714 Canton. He also helped many young people from Canton who wanted to join the Army study for their ASVAB tests. But in 1982, he changed careers again, and became the Emergency Management Coordinator for Bradford County, a job he would have for the next 16 years. He was instrumental in the development and implementation of the county's 911 system and new call center, at that time, in North Towanda. This was a job he loved and developed many friendships with the volunteers and staff working with the local fire, ambulance and police departments. It was also in 1982, at the age of 49, that John trained as an EMT and joined the Canton Volunteer Ambulance Service. John would remain a volunteer EMT with Canton Ambulance (later Western Alliance) for the next 33 years. John truly enjoyed going to class and teaching classes becoming an EMT instructor, First Responder instructor and Hazmat instructor. He also taught CPR and first aid courses to countless people throughout the years. In 2004 he traveled to India at the request of former Troy hospital doctor, Dr. Abraham, to help train first responders and teach first aid. John was a Master Mason for 62 years and was a member in good standing with the Caleb Butler Lodge A.F. & A.M. in Ayer, MA.

John lived his life in service to his family, country, Bradford County and to the Canton Community and he will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

John is survived by his children, Becky Guillaume of Canton, Steven Mosser of Canton and John (Angie)Mosser of Canton. Grandchildren, Jill (Bill)Bailey of Canton, Daniel Doty of Canton, Natalie Siedhof (Jennifer Biondi) and Nicole (Ramy) Ragab of Baldwinsville NY. Great grandchildren, Malachi Washington of Tampa Fl and Madison Graham of Canton Pa. And many nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents and wife Naomi, John was predeceased by his younger brother Robert Mosser and daughter in law Lisa Mosser.

Our family wishes to thank Karen Sherwood and the staff of Sherwood PCH and the staff at Darway SNF for their kindness and compassion in the care of our father.

In keeping with his wishes, there will be no public services. Burial will be in Beech Flats Cemetery. Pepper Funeral Home and Cremation Facility, 578 Springbrook Drive in Canton is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in John's name may be directed to a local charity or local institution of your choice. Memories of John and condolences to his family may be shared by visiting www.pepperfuneralhomes.com.

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