John P. Haas April 10, 1945 – February 08, 2019 Share this obituary Sign Guestbook Bartow- John P. Haas passed away peacefully February 8, 2019. Born in Solon, Ohio to Mary Florence (nee Hurley) and Edward William, John resided in Bartow, Florida for over 20 years. After graduating from St. Peter Chanel Catholic High School in 1963, John married Susan Ilijevich (nee Cooper) and enlisted in the United States Navy.
He was stationed in San Diego and Rhode Island on the U.S.S. Es and was honorably discharged in 1968. John’s first child, Mark was born in 1964, daughter Tracey was born in 1967 and son Terrence in 1968. John was known and admired for his incredible work ethic which he passed on to his surviving children.
After he was discharged from the Navy he worked as a landscaper for his brother Jim until he joined the Ford Motor Company in Walton Hills, OH where he was a Quality Control Manager. While working full time at Ford he attained an Associate’s Degree in Business. He started Summit Oil and Gas in 1980 with his brothers James (Jim) and William (Bill) and in 1986 continued his automotive career, retiring from Volvo/GM Heavy Trucking before moving to Florida in 1998.
In Florida John worked for Mirk in Bartow, FL and finally, at Streamsong Golf Resort and Spa in Bowling Green, FL. Besides his strong work ethic, John was very proud of his service in the U.S. Navy and dedicated much of his early retirement to actively supporting the American Legion in Bartow and then in Mulberry, FL. He served as Post Commander at American Legion Post 3 in 2007.
Through his dedication and hard work, John was able to coordinate fundraisers to provide a police dog to the Polk County Sheriff Department. He also organized and cooked Wednesday community lunches at the Post for many years. Although proud of his affiliation with the Navy, John was proudest of his children, stepchildren, and grandchildren.
Whether visiting on birthdays, holidays or graduations, calling on Sundays after work, sending cards, coins and shark teeth, having a donut at the “usual” table, going to movies or baseball games, playing cribbage or having a heated political debate, his family was the most important thing to him. John enjoyed the life-long friendship of his brothers, especially Bill, with whom he was particularly close. They all shared a passion for golfing, storytelling and family history.
John is preceded in death by his son Mark, his parents Mary Florence and Edward William, his brothers James and Thomas and his niece Caroline and nephew Neil. He is survived by his daughter Tracey (Jeffrey) Wielinski of Pepperell, MA, son Terrence (Mary Ann Betsch) of New York, NY, step-daughter Christie (Derek) Watson of Doylestown, OH, step-daughter Michelle (Matthew) Moellendick of Canal Futon, OH, grandchildren Emma Wielinski (20), Jote Haas (7), Ashley (14) and Riley (13) Watson, and Andrew (17) and Ryan (16) Moellendick, his brothers Joseph (Cynthia), Robert (Linda) and William (Teresa) and many beloved nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at 2:00 P.M. at the American Legion Post 72 in Mulberry, Florida.
An interment at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell and Celebration of Life in Ohio will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Bartow Church Service Center, www.
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