John R. Minarcin

Published in The Daily Star on 6/25/2009

ONEONTA - John R. Minarcin, 77, of Oneonta, loving husband, father and grandfather, peacefully passed away, Tuesday, June 23, 2009, in the company of his family at the A.O. Memorial Fox Hospital in Oneonta.

He was born July 24, 1931, in North Vandergrift, Pa., son of the late Martin and Mary (Solar) Minarcin.

Upon graduation from Vandergrift High School in 1949, John was offered a football scholarship to Vanderbilt University. John decided to accept an offer to play minor league baseball with the Boston Red Sox organization.

It was during his playing days with the Oneonta Red Sox that John met and fell in love with his life's partner, Margaret Mastis. They married on Oct. 12, 1952, and shared 56 years of blissful marriage.

In 1952, while playing with the Birmingham Red Sox, John was called to serve his country during the Korean Conflict. He entered the United States Army in 1952, and was honorably discharged in 1954.

Keeping in line with his desire to always help others, John later entered a 30-year career as a City of Oneonta firefighter, retiring in 1987.
For years, as a coach in the Oneonta Little League and American Legion, John acted as a mentor to numerous area youths by teaching them his baseball skills.

After his retirement, John was a longtime volunteer at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital where he became well-known for his infectious smile, warm greetings and kind words.

He loved spending time with his grandchildren, his golf buddies and chatting sports with his friends over coffee.

John is survived by his loving wife, Margaret Minarcin, of Oneonta; his daughter, Linda Molinari and her husband, Kevin of Oneonta; daughter-in-law, Jan Minarcin of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.; brothers, Rudy Minarcin of North Vandergrift, Pa., Richard Minarcin of Woodland Hills, Calif.; sisters, Julia Blanciak of North Vandergrift, Pa., and Betty Mitcheson; and brother-in-law, Fred Mitcheson of North Vandergrift, Pa. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Michael Molinari of Charlotte, N.C., Meghan Molinari of Spring, Texas, John and Donald Minarcin of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends, too numerous to mention.

John was predeceased by his son, John T. Minarcin; brothers, Steven Minarcin and Martin Minarcin; and sister, Helen Linkes.

At John's request, there will be no calling hours.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Monday, June 29, 2009, in St. Mary's Church, 39 Walnut St., Oneonta, with the Rev. Joseph Benintende, pastor, officiating. A private interment for the family will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Emmons.

The Minarcin family wishes to thank the Catskill Area Hospice and Fox Hospital nursing staffs for the kindness and compassion they extended to John during his brave struggle.

A statement from Margaret reads, "I wish to thank my daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Kevin Molinari. I couldn't have gone through this without you. Dr. Matsuo, Lyn and the office staff for their care. The nurses at Fox Hospital on floors one and two. The Hospice people for all their help. My Greater Plains family for your support and cards. The Oneonta Fire Department for their special visit. All our friends and neighbors for always being there when I needed them. And his special buddy, Louie Colone, for his visits everyday, it made his day brighter."

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in John's name may be made to Catskill Area Hospice & Palliative Care Inc., 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820 or St. Mary's Church, 39 Walnut St., Oneonta, NY 13820.

Condolences to the family may be made online by visiting the website at www.grummonsfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta.