John J. Repasky

Poland – A Memorial prayer service will be held at Davis / Becker Funeral Home Chapel at 8536 Market Street in Boardman, 44512, on January 9 at 12:30 pm for John (Jack) Repasky, 89, who died peacefully at his home in Poland with his wife by his side on December 16, 2025.

Jack was born May 22, 1936 in Campbell a son of John and Ethel Palguta Repasky. He graduated from Campbell Memorial High School in 1954 and graduated from Youngstown State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in Biology, Comprehensive Science and Education. John continued his education by completing his Master's Degree in Education and a major in Guidance and Counseling from Westminster College in 1962. He married the former Patricia Hudach on August 8, 1959 at St. John the Baptist Slovak Catholic Church in Campbell by the late Monsignor Michael Tondra.

Jack worked for 35 years in the Greenford / South Range School System and was head of the Guidance Department for 25 years. Prior to that, he taught Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Science in the Greenford School System from 1958 until they consolidated with the North Lima School District in 1969. Jack also took on many extra duties at the school including Senior Class Advisor, Yearbook Advisor, Beta Club Advisor, School Newspaper Advisor, Senior Class trip organizer, and many other extra-curricular activities. He was a member of the St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in New Middletown since 1967.

Jack touched the lives of many people, not only as a guidance counselor, but also with his witty sense of humor as well as with all of the poetry he wrote. He was always the man to go to for any problem or to answer any question. He was an avid follower of the Cleveland Browns, through thick and thin. In addition, he loved traveling, starting from 1959 and ending in 2015. He and his wife visited every state in the US and eastern and western Canada multiple times as well as Mexico and a cruise to Nassau, and most of the national parks in the early years. Two of the most memorable trips were when he and his wife went to Hawaii for their 25th Anniversary including the islands of Oahu, Maui and Kauai and a cruise to Alaska for their 35th Anniversary. When Jack discovered riverboats, he and Pat paddle-wheeled the Mississippi River from New Orleans to Minnesota on the Delta Queen (on its 50th Anniversary voyage) and the American Queen on its Inaugural Voyage. Their last riverboat trip was on the Queen of the West out of Oregon. He also visited Haiti in his capacity as a Guidance Counselor.

He loved his HO scale model trains and had a large display set up in his basement that brought many visitors. He devoured non-fiction reading of anything that was educational. Besides writing poetry, he also enjoyed photography and their annual wine tasting trip to the Finger Lakes. They also did a 2-year stint as a secret but official restaurant critique-r. Jack was a lover of nature and the outdoors. He was a Boy Scout and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout with a Bronze Palm. His greatest love was his wife and best friend, Pat and his only son, Jim, who got the biggest part of his heart and soul. That love never wavered even through the death of his son. He also maintained his trademark sense of witty humor until the end. After his retirement, he decided his mission in life was to spread mirth and joy.

Jack leaves his wife Patricia, his niece Karla (Lynn) Avery and their children Grayson and Allison, his "Family of the Heart" Gale Wire of Florida, Cliff Wire of Cleveland, and Ed Wire of South Carolina, his cousins on both the Repasky and Palguta sides, his brother-in-law Ronald (Barbara) Hudach of New Castle, Rona (Chris) Matteo of Pittsburgh, Michael Lunich of North Carolina, Mark and Scott (Joni) Hudach of New Castle and many special friends thoughout the country.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, his son James Repasky of Aurora who died February 16, 2022, his brother Donald Repasky of Poland, his sister Jeanette Stumpo of Atlanta, GA, and his sister-in-law Martha Evans, who died December 19, 2025,

three days after John.

Friends may call from 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm, prior to the service in the adjoining chapel, on January 9, at the Davis / Becker Funeral Home in Boardman.

Arrangements are being handled by the Clemente Funeral Home.

Jack's family wishes to extend their appreciation to their three wonderful neighbors the Lavenders, the Miltons, and the Beards, who supplied meals and support throughout his illness and afterwards. Gratitude goes out to all of the caregivers of First Light and Heartland Hospice who took such good care of Jack in his home 24/7.