John C. Vesco Sr.

John C. Vesco Sr., 76, of 152 Orion Drive, Dover, Ohio died Monday, April 18, 2005 in his home following a brief illness.

John retired in 1993 from the Gradall Company in New Philadelphia where he worked for 41 years. He was the manager of distribution and transportation.

Born October 3, 1928 in Wainwright, he was the son of the late Serafino and Elivigia Columbo Vesco.

John was an active member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Dover where he served on council, was a member of the ushers club, program chairman for the St. Joseph Seniors, and member of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a member and past president of the Dover Kiwanis, Tornado Club, charter member of the Starlight Workshop, Dover High School Continuous Improvement Committee, former president of the Warner & Swasey Athletic Club, PP of the Greater Canton Traffic Club, and member of the New Philadelphia Elks Lodge.

He loved sports and was an outstanding athlete having been All Ohio in track, basketball, and football. He was a 1946 graduate of Tusky High School and a 1950 graduate of Muskingum College where he was a member of the Mace Club and Varsity Club. He played football and track (shot put and discus in college) and in his later years, he participated in the Senior Olympics where he placed 3rd in the shot and 4th in the discus in the National Sr. Olympics in 1989. He was also a referee for 15 years and coached Dover High School track and field for eight years where he led the 1995 Dover High School girls to a state championship. John also enjoyed bowling and golf.

John was also a US Army veteran having served during the Korean War. He was a member of the Dover VFW and American Legion.

He is survived by his wife, Florence Monaco Vesco with whom he would have celebrated 50 years of marriage on October 22; He is also survived by one daughter, Connie (David) Lawver of Dover and a son, John (Kelly) Vesco Jr. of Green Bay, Wisconsin; a son in law, Steve Link of New Philadelphia one brother, Carl “Vic” (Shirley) Vesco of Columbus and a sister, Eleanor Vesco of New Philadelphia along with seven grandchildren, Rachel, Mitchell, and Matthew Vesco, Nick and Samantha Lawver, Jared Domer, and Burt Link.

He was preceded in death by one daughter, Elaine Link.

A funeral mass will be celebrated Friday, April 22, 2005 at 10am in the St. Joseph Catholic Church at Dover with Fr. William Arnold officiating. Interment will be in the Calvary Cemetery at Dover where the Dover VFW will conduct military graveside services. Friends may call at the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory in Dover on Thursday from 5-8 pm. Christian Wake services will be Thursday at 7:45 pm. Those unable to attend or who may wish to express a fond memory of John may sign the online register book by visiting the “obituaries” link on the funeral home website at www.tolandherzig.com

Memorial contributions may be made to the new St. Joseph Family Life Center c/o St. Joseph Catholic Church, 613 N. Tuscarawas Ave., Dover, Ohio 44622

Toland-Herzig, Dover
330 343-6132