John "Jack" Maxgay

YOUNGSTOWN - A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Holy Name of Jesus Church in Youngstown, for John J. “Jack” Maxgay, 76, who died Thursday at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Youngstown.

John was born May 5, 1942, in Youngstown, the son of John and Stella Maxgay.

He was a graduate of North Lima High School and then served in the U.S. Air Force. Jack worked at Isaly’s, where he met his future wife, JoAnn, and later worked as a mechanic retiring from the Tamarkin Company in 2004. After his retirement, he worked at Halloween Mania.

He was an active member of the Holy Name of Jesus Church, where he served as a Lector, Councilman, and was a member of its Holy Name Society. He was a member of Teamsters Local No. 377, the Austintown Eagles Aerie No. 3298, and the Catholic War Veterans.

Jack had many hobbies and interests. He raced remote control cars and helicopters, made wine, winning “Best of Show” at the Canfield Fair, and was a member of the Penn-Ohio Polka Boosters, where he had served as president. Jack fulfilled his dream of learning to fly and became a licensed pilot, flying for New Era as a Flight Engineer, aerially inspecting pipelines. He was also a member of the Hubbard Wing Snappers, where he was secretary and treasurer.

Jack is survived by his wife, the former JoAnn Fekete, whom he married July 10, 1965; a daughter, Joan (Don) Stewart of Poland; a son, John Maxgay of Rochester Hills, Mich.; two sisters, Connie Aurora of Florida and Marge Romandetti of Liberty; a brother, Joe (Ruth) Maxgay of Florida; and four grandchildren, Megan Stewart, Jonathon, Jordan and Jeffrey Maxgay.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Victoria Buck.

Friends may call on Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Austintown Chapel and on Wednesday from 9 to 9:45 a.m. at the church.

Visit www.higgins-reardon.com to view this obituary and send condolences.