John "Jack" Vesnesky

1942 - 2022

John "Jack" Vesnesky passed away at his residence, from a brief illness, on Saturday, November 5th, 2022. He was born on September 1, 1942, a son of the late John and Mary (Dush) Vesnesky of DuBois.

On August 13, 1966, Jack married Ronna Cusato in Elwood City, who survives at home. They recently celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary. Jack is survived by one child, Jon; Jon's wife, Amber; and three grandchildren, Kierra, Samuel, and Maddox of Philipsburg. In addition, he is survived by a sister in-law and brother in-law (Patricia and David Johnson) of Zelienople, one niece, two nephews and several cousins.

Jack was on the DuBois Little League All Star Team for three consecutive seasons and in 1955, at age twelve, he pitched for DuBois in the Little League World Series. He continued playing baseball and was All State on three Teener League teams. Furthermore, Jack completed three years of Legion baseball, followed by years playing in the JC Baseball league. Jack graduated in 1960, from St. Catherine's High School, DuBois, where he played baseball and was a four-year letterman in basketball. As a freshman he scored 31 points in a single game. Through high school he averaged 15.2 points per game and was an 80% foul shooter. As a senior, he once scored eleven consecutive jump shots – a record that still stands and was named Erie Diocesan League First Team.

Jack attended WV University, transferred to Clarion State University and graduated with a degree in Special Education and Social Studies. He began his teaching career at St. Marys Junior High with special needs children. While teaching, Jack coached high school basketball, and led the Flying Dutch to a 17 and 3 record. Within his time at St. Marys, he earned a Master's in Education from Clarion University and a Master's Degree in School Psychology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Additionally, he completed post-graduate work at Syracuse, Millersville, Edinboro, and Penn State Universities.

In 1967, Jack realized his love of golf, as he scored a hole in one at his first golf outing. He was a member of the Ridgway Country Club and in 1972, Jack and Ronna moved to Philipsburg, where Jack joined the Philipsburg Country Club, now known as the Philipsburg Elks Lodge and Country Club. It was at the Elks where he scored two additional holes in one.

Upon moving to Philipsburg, Jack began working at the CIU #10 as a school psychologist, later advancing to supervisor of special education. He then stepped into a position at Clearfield Area Schools, and after 33 years of serving special needs children, retired in 1997, culminating his career as the Director of Special Education. Following his time working in education, Jack continued to serve his community, holding a long-term seat on the Board of Directors for Cen-Clear Child Services.

For seventeen years after retirement, Jack enjoyed the winter months with his wife, and several close friends in Davenport, FL. His summer months were spent by the pool and on the golf course. Jack's greatest and most pleasurable golf experience was playing with his son, Jon, in the Carl Lupton Better Ball Tournament for 30 consecutive years. In his later years, he was elated to watch Sam and Maddox play basketball for Philipsburg Osceola, the YMCA and the Central Pa Lions travel team.

Jack was a member of, and served as an usher at, Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Philipsburg.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, at 11 a.m., at SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 400 S. 4th. St., Philipsburg, with Rev. Michael Pleva, celebrant.

The visitation will be on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, from 4 to 7 p.m., at the Beezer-Heath Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 719 E. Spruce St., Philipsburg.

The B.P.O.Elks Lodge #1173 will conduct a memorial service on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Interment will be in Philipsburg Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in Jack's memory to SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 400 S. 4th. St., Philipsburg, Pa 16866.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook and share memories at www.beezerheathfh.com.