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BORN
1943
DIED
2022
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John Centko Obituary
Age 78, of Thayer, Illinois, passed away on April 4th, 2022 at his home in Orlando, FL.
John was born in Thayer, Illionis to John Henry and Mary Jeannette Centko on December 16th, 1943.
John was a passionate educator, teaching at Valencia Community College in the Horticulture Department for over 30 years. An avid collector of plants and a lover of animals, John was a past president of the Central Florida Orchid Society and donated many of the swans that still grace the shores of Lake Eola in Downtown Orlando.
John is survived by his first wife, Beryl; his second wife, Natasha; his children, Anya, Johnathon, Ryan, Cara, and David; his mother, Mary Jeannette; his sisters, Mary Jeannette, Michele, and Dianne; and his grandchildren, Jude and Harvey.
A public wake and service in his honor will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, April 13th, 2022 at the National Cremation and Burial Society at 7565 Red Bug Lake Road in Oviedo, FL. Burial will follow at Orlando Memorial Gardens in Ocoee, FL. Arrangements are by the National Cremation and Burial Society.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Centko
Sponsored by The Orlando Sentinel.
6 Entries
Russell
September 3, 2023
Mr. Centko was a great professor and an even greater human being. His lessons reinforced the importance of leading a sustainable life and his benevolence lives on through his teachings. Rest in peace, John.
Andres Albornoz
October 5, 2022
My respects to you professor and condolences to your family. You were and will always be remembered as a phenomenal human being. I´m grateful to have been your student.
Bradley Radecki
April 13, 2022
I was a student of John's at Valencia. He taught me about horticulture and even more about life. I will miss his stories and his enthusiasm for life.
Nancy Rodlun
April 13, 2022
I remember John Cenko well. I was fortunate to be one of his students. He'll be missed by many . My heart felt sympathy to his family.
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Nancy Caskey
April 12, 2022
John Centko was a true friend to all living things. Plants, animals, humans were his life long passion. As a horticulture professor he touched on all of these in his classroom, and showed how everything is interconnected. Everything on this planet matters. And he demonstrated this first by the kind and caring relationship he developed with each student. Every student mattered. John was truly one-of-a-kind educator. It was not so much the book learning that he emphasized, but the impact that each of us can have by using science to improve this world. He strove to educate his students to be critical thinkers so that they might put those thoughts into action for postive change. Yes, he was an activist for good. Thank you John for everything you taught me & thousands of other students about life and how to live it. God Bless the Centko family, and know that he is truly in God's arms and will forever be at peace. My heart aches for our collective loss, but rejoices for your victory.
Faiaz Ali
April 11, 2022
Mr. Centko , We appreciate the Guyana memories , we will always remember . You are a good man Mr. Centko R.I.P.
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Memorial Events
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Apr
13
Service
11:00 a.m.
National Cremation and Burial Society - Oviedo7565 Red Bug Lake Road, Oviedo, FL 32765
Funeral services provided by:
National Cremation and Burial Society - Oviedo7565 Red Bug Lake Road, Oviedo, FL 32765
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