John Massaro

AUSTINTOWN - Prayers will be held Thursday at 9:30 a.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Austintown Chapel, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Church for John F. Massaro, 79, who passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home Monday morning from Acute Myeloid Leukemia which was diagnosed in July.
John was born on the east side of Youngstown on March 14, 1932, the son of Pasquale and Olga Landimarino Massaro.
He graduated in the January 1950 Class of East High School in Youngstown, where he excelled in football. He was named All County Class A and All City in football in 1949. Upon graduation, he worked at the P&LE Railroad.
He served in the U.S. Army in Korea and Japan in 1952 through 1954, earning the United Nation Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal and a Bronze Service Star. He was released from active military service in 1954 and served eight years in the U.S. Army Reserve. John moved to Austintown from the east side in 1979.
He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Youngstown State University and a Masters Degree from Kent State University. He was a teacher, football coach and Guidance Counselor at Youngstown's East High School until 1983, when he transferred to Woodrow Wilson High School in Youngstown and served as Guidance Counselor there until his retirement in 1993.
John was a life-long member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Youngstown's east side, where he served as a lector and recently joined St. Joseph Catholic Church in Austintown.
John was a member of the Arthur W. McGinnis VFW Post No. 8841, where he served in many different capacities. He was also a member of the Catholic War Veterans John Buckley Post No. 1292, the Pup Tent No. 31, the Youngstown Federation of Teachers and was a Life Member of the Military Order of Cooties. He enjoyed golf and playing cards on weekends with his friends at "the club."
John leaves to cherish his memory, his sister, Sue Thomas of Simi Valley, Calif.; his brother, Anthony Billie Massaro of Canton, Mich.; a sister-in-law, Ida Massaro of Campbell; and several nieces and nephews including, Steve Julie Stanec of Austintown, Shirley Stanec of Youngstown, Janet Stanec of Columbus and Debbie Victor Burnett of Austintown, all of whom he helped raise and was like a father to, other nieces and nephews are, Linda Jim Fabry, Patty Ann Mike Fayle, Brian Linda Massaro, Bruce Bette Massaro, Toni Marie Massaro, Mona Mary Massaro and Gina Marie Frank Schremser.
John also leaves many great and great-great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Philomena Stanec, with whom he had made his home; his brother, Joseph Massaro; brothers-in-law Steven Stanec and Cross Thomas; and nephew Christy Thomas.
Family and friends may call Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
John's family would like to thank Hospice of the Valley for all of their care.
In lieu of flowers, material tributes may take the form of donations to Hospice of the Valley in John's name.
Entombment will take place at Green Haven Memorial Gardens.