The Funeral of a Hero - John A. Mesick
John A. Mesick passed away December 31, 2019 at the Albany VA Hospital. Born October 4, 1924 in Valatie, NY, he was the son of the late Ernest and Juanita Raught Mesick.
He grew up and spent most of his life in Ghent, NY. Jack joined the Army after school and was participated in the Liberation of Europe from D Day to the signing of the armistice. He was discharged as a highly decorated soldier; including the French Cross of War (Croix de Guerre) sign by General Charles DeGaulle.
After returning home he met his future wife and they were married in 1949. He worked at the Columbia Rensselaer Telephone Company for 45 years. During that time he was the Mayor, Police Chief and Fire Chief of Chatham at different times. He was a life member of the Ghent VFW and the American Legion in Chatham and the Ground Observer Corps. He loved fishing, hunting and golfing and of course his family.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Frances Gustafson Mesick, his children, Chris (Marty) Torrey, Jim (Brandy) Mesick, Pati (Brad) Kiel, daughter-in-law Edie Mesick, Grandchildren, Chase, Grayson and Emmett Callahan, Tyler Mesick, and Ben, Erin and Emily Lanphear, and several nieces and nephews.
Jack was predeceased by his brothers and sisters and his son Jack Mesick Jr.
Family will receive friends on January 7th from 4pm to 7pm at the French, Gifford, Preiter & Blasl Funeral Home. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on January 8th at 10am at Saint James Church with interment to follow at St. James Cemetery.
In Lieu of flowers memorials in Jack’s name may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105. For direction or to convey a condolence visit frenchblasl.com
He grew up and spent most of his life in Ghent, NY. Jack joined the Army after school and was participated in the Liberation of Europe from D Day to the signing of the armistice. He was discharged as a highly decorated soldier; including the French Cross of War (Croix de Guerre) sign by General Charles DeGaulle.
After returning home he met his future wife and they were married in 1949. He worked at the Columbia Rensselaer Telephone Company for 45 years. During that time he was the Mayor, Police Chief and Fire Chief of Chatham at different times. He was a life member of the Ghent VFW and the American Legion in Chatham and the Ground Observer Corps. He loved fishing, hunting and golfing and of course his family.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Frances Gustafson Mesick, his children, Chris (Marty) Torrey, Jim (Brandy) Mesick, Pati (Brad) Kiel, daughter-in-law Edie Mesick, Grandchildren, Chase, Grayson and Emmett Callahan, Tyler Mesick, and Ben, Erin and Emily Lanphear, and several nieces and nephews.
Jack was predeceased by his brothers and sisters and his son Jack Mesick Jr.
Family will receive friends on January 7th from 4pm to 7pm at the French, Gifford, Preiter & Blasl Funeral Home. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on January 8th at 10am at Saint James Church with interment to follow at St. James Cemetery.
In Lieu of flowers memorials in Jack’s name may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105. For direction or to convey a condolence visit frenchblasl.com
Photos by Richard E. Lindmark