SCPO John Mesawitz, USN, Ret.
John Mesawitz
February 22, 1936 ~ February 17, 2025
John Mesawitz (Johannes Misiewicz), 88, of Jacksonville, passed away Feb. 17, 2025. He was born Feb. 22, 1936, in Wilkes-Barre, Penn., to John and Catherine Mary Mesawitz (Ceslaus Misiewicz and Catharina Stos').
His parents emigrated to the United States from Poland. His father was a coal miner and his mother was a treasured member of their small community, where children often gathered for her kindness and homemade treats, which she always shared in abundance. She died of complications from childbirth when John was 4 years old.
Soon after John’s father remarried, he and his three brothers were sent to live in an orphanage, at the request of their step-mother. Their maternal aunt, Helen Yuscavage, rescued the boys and raised them.
John enlisted in the United States Navy in 1954, and completed bootcamp at the U.S. Naval Training Center Bainbridge, at Port Deposit, Md. He boarded the USS Cadmus AR-14, assigned to the Atlantic Fleet. He later attended Navy Corps School and was stationed at the St. Albans Naval Hospital, N.Y. In 1960, he transferred to the Olathe Naval Air Station, in Kansas. He served at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove, Penn., followed by bases in Buffalo, N.Y., Great Lakes, Ill., and Jacksonville, Fla.
He proudly served until his retirement in 1978, from NAS Jax (Naval Air Station Jacksonville), achieving the rank of E-8 Senior Chief Petty Officer.
John spent many years as a leader with the Boy Scouts of America, mentoring many young men to achieve Eagle Scout rank, including his son Jay. John was active with the Sacred Heart Knights of Columbus.
John is survived by his wife Pat; his children Jay and Jessica; his grandchildren Zoe, Catherine, Andrew, Corey, Sarah and Kenai; his great grandchildren Aurora, Arlo, Haisley, Henley, Hattie, Aiden and Avani; his nephews Steven and Ron; his sister-in-law Ruth; his step-sons Darren and David; many more family members and friends; and his beloved dog Lilly.
He is predeceased by his parents John and Catherine; his brothers Chester, Stanley and Frank; his first wife Harriet; his nephew Kenny; and step-sons Dennis and Fran.
A viewing was held Tuesday, Feb. 25, 4-7 p.m., at Jacksonville Memory Gardens, 111 Blanding Blvd., Orange Park, Fla. 32073.
His funeral mass was held Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 11 a.m., at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, 1773 Blanding Blvd., Jacksonville, Fla. 32210. His burial with U.S. Navy military honors followed at 2 p.m.
His parents emigrated to the United States from Poland. His father was a coal miner and his mother was a treasured member of their small community, where children often gathered for her kindness and homemade treats, which she always shared in abundance. She died of complications from childbirth when John was 4 years old.
Soon after John’s father remarried, he and his three brothers were sent to live in an orphanage, at the request of their step-mother. Their maternal aunt, Helen Yuscavage, rescued the boys and raised them.
John enlisted in the United States Navy in 1954, and completed bootcamp at the U.S. Naval Training Center Bainbridge, at Port Deposit, Md. He boarded the USS Cadmus AR-14, assigned to the Atlantic Fleet. He later attended Navy Corps School and was stationed at the St. Albans Naval Hospital, N.Y. In 1960, he transferred to the Olathe Naval Air Station, in Kansas. He served at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove, Penn., followed by bases in Buffalo, N.Y., Great Lakes, Ill., and Jacksonville, Fla.
He proudly served until his retirement in 1978, from NAS Jax (Naval Air Station Jacksonville), achieving the rank of E-8 Senior Chief Petty Officer.
John spent many years as a leader with the Boy Scouts of America, mentoring many young men to achieve Eagle Scout rank, including his son Jay. John was active with the Sacred Heart Knights of Columbus.
John is survived by his wife Pat; his children Jay and Jessica; his grandchildren Zoe, Catherine, Andrew, Corey, Sarah and Kenai; his great grandchildren Aurora, Arlo, Haisley, Henley, Hattie, Aiden and Avani; his nephews Steven and Ron; his sister-in-law Ruth; his step-sons Darren and David; many more family members and friends; and his beloved dog Lilly.
He is predeceased by his parents John and Catherine; his brothers Chester, Stanley and Frank; his first wife Harriet; his nephew Kenny; and step-sons Dennis and Fran.
A viewing was held Tuesday, Feb. 25, 4-7 p.m., at Jacksonville Memory Gardens, 111 Blanding Blvd., Orange Park, Fla. 32073.
His funeral mass was held Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 11 a.m., at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, 1773 Blanding Blvd., Jacksonville, Fla. 32210. His burial with U.S. Navy military honors followed at 2 p.m.