John Waszkowski

John Waszkowski, 66, passed away surrounded by family at home on February 24, 2026 following a battle with cancer.

John was born on January 22, 1960 in Walbrzych, Poland, beloved son to John and Irene (Osadnik) Waszkowski. The family immigrated to America in 1964, and John grew up immersed in Polish-American culture. Every holiday was spent visiting or hosting family where cherished family traditions and his Polish roots were nurtured. Growing up, John played basketball and football, fished the local rivers, and motorcycled with friends through the wooded hills of central NY. He attended Cortland High School (Class of 79) and studied automotive at the local BOCES program during the last two years of high school. John received an associates degree in automotive technology from the State University of New York at Morrisville. He met his high school sweetheart, Terry Meades, while working at the local supermarket, although their first encounter almost faltered. John asked Terry out for a drink but learned she was underage and walked away nonplussed. Thankfully he regrouped and they went on to share a lifetime full of love and memories. They were married for 42 years. They lived in the Homer-Cortland, New York area until 2003 when the family relocated to Holly Springs, North Carolina. Recently they fulfilled their retirement dream of returning to tranquil lake life and moved to Lake Royale in Louisburg, North Carolina.

John was an entrepreneur who started several businesses including The Auto Doctor, an auto audio and electronics shop he ran for 10 years before selling it, Johnnie's ice cream shop, Today's Disc Jockeys a special event DJ service, Positive Promotions advertising, USA Coffee and Donuts, and Carolina Patio and Pools. He was a passionate salesman who also worked in advertising, storage units, and real estate. He always aimed to become wealthy; however, he refused to place work or money before family, which made this aspiration an enigma. Instead, he accumulated a wealth of family treasure.

John was a playfully humorous and sensitive soul who loved animals. He had golden retrievers throughout the years, which matched his personality of being loving, loyal and always willing to help someone finish their plate. He found his soul-pup in Sammy, a rescue golden. He doted on his three chickens, The Dixie Chicks, who led a charmed life at the Waszky Waldorf.

John boycotted drive-thrus and self-checkouts valuing human connection. People and connecting with them were core to how John lived his life. John had an eye for beauty. You would frequently find him behind a camera carefully capturing life's simple and special moments – a lasting gift that will be cherished by family and generations to come. He loved music, and his taste was breathtakingly wide and eclectic - from Billie Eilish to Lawrence Welk to Queen to Randy Travis. Christmas music was always in season with John. He appreciated vintage things like old cars, vinyl records, cassette tapes, 8 track, vintage toys and model trains and joked his love of old things was why his marriage lasted so long. He possessed tremendous patience to repair things. He loved Hallmark Christmas movies. John was a romantic and showed love through countless small gestures.

As a father, John was a constant presence for his sons, taking an active role in their hobbies and life that continued into their adulthood. He was immensely proud of them. John was unshakeably committed to his family and prioritized spending time with loved ones. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend.

John's legacy lives on through his wife Terry, sons Andrew and Derek (Anna), granddaughter Julia, parents John and Irene Waszkowski, sisters Mariola (Scott) Burns and Lisa (Jeremy) Shuler, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and all those who knew him.

The family would like to thank the staff of Transitions LifeCare for their support with palliative and hospice care, Dr. Sundhar Ramalingam, Dr. Sarah Westergaard and Dr. Kishan Parikh.

A celebration and memorial of John's life will be held Saturday, March 21, 2026 beginning at 1pm:

1713 Lake Royale – 104 Fawn Cove

Louisburg, NC 27549

Wherever you are in this world, you may join us in a moment of remembrance at 3:30pm (8:30pm CET). Na zdrowie.

In lieu of flowers, we invite family and friends to join us in remembering and celebrating his life by sharing a specific memory you have about John on his tribute page. Also, those who wish may offer a North American plant, fruit, bulb or seeds (or a plant dear to you) to grow in the yard. Through each season they will reveal and grow the memory of John.

John will be dearly missed, but he is in God's care.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7