John J. Huesdash Jr.

1948 - 10

John Joseph Huesdash Jr., 60, of Stahlstown, passed away Friday, Sept. 25, 2009, at his home, following a courageous five-year battle with cancer. He was born Oct. 21, 1948, in Connellsville, a son of John Joseph Huesdash Sr., of Jeannette, and the late Margaret M. Wescott Huesdash. John was a graduate of Jeannette High School. He was a Vietnam War veteran, having served in the Navy. He was employed as an electrician and was a member of IBEW Union Local 5. John also was the operator of H&H Gunsmithing, and he was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a member of St. Raymond of the Mountains Roman Catholic Church, Donegal. John was a loving and dedicated husband and father, and he made his family the center of his life. In addition to his father, he will be sadly missed by his wife of 32 years, Mary Kay Dlugonski Huesdash; two sons, Jonathan Huesdash and his wife, Spencer, of Pittsburgh, and Shawn Huesdash and his girlfriend, Kara Gerhart, of Portland, Ore.; three sisters, Patricia Huesdash-Elam, of New York City, N.Y., Betty J. Odorisio, of Jeannette, and Joy Gabris and her husband, Keith, of Jeannette; a special cousin, Joe Petko and his wife, Nancy, of Novelty, Ohio; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and their families. In addition to his mother, he was predeceased by two brothers-in-law, Nick Odorisio and Peter Dlugonski; and a niece, April Odorisio. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in the BROOKS FUNERAL HOME INC., 406 E. Washington St., Mt. Pleasant, where a blessing service will be held at 9:15 a.m. Wednesday, followed by a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Raymond of the Mountains Roman Catholic Church, Donegal, with the Rev. Anthony W. Ditto as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Vincent Cemetery, Unity Township. In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to the Hillman Cancer Center Development Office, 5115 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15232, in memory of John Joseph Huesdash Jr. To sign the guest registry, please visit www.brooksfuneralhomes.com.