BORN

1954

DIED

2013

FUNERAL HOME

Farone & Son Funeral Home

1500 Park St

Syracuse, New York

John Hessmiller. Jr. Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jun. 25, 2013.

John J. "Jack" Hessmiller, Jr., 58, died on May 29, 2013 at home in Syracuse. Born in Syracuse, he was the son of the late John J. and Marietta (Cuozzo) Hessmiller. He was a 1972 graduate of St. John the Baptist High School, Syracuse. John earned an Associates Degree in Radio-Television from Onondaga Community College and Bachelors Degree in Broadcast Journalism from Syracuse University. He was a sportscaster on WAER-FM Radio during 1976 and 1977. He became a street reporter for WOLF-AM radio during 1981 and 1982 while also serving as editor for the Syracuse Chiefs Baseball News from 1979 to 1983. Before his illness, he was an office services clerk and messenger for the law firm Bond, Schoeneck and King in Syracuse. He is survived by aunts, godchildren and many cousins being especially close to his cousins William Hessmiller Jr. of Dunmore, PA and Lori Jean Karluk of Throop, PA during his lifetime. He was a loving son, nephew and godfather as well as a very good friend to many. He possessed a keen awareness of everything in the sports world. John had the ability to speak at great length about teams, players and statistics especially his Syracuse Chiefs and the Syracuse Orange. He held strong political views and a willingness to debate anyone at any time on candidates or political issues. Family and friends will sorely miss these traits along with his ever-engaging sense of humor.

The family would like to thank John's longtime friends Marty Nave, James Pirro, Michael Casey, David and Dawn Smolnycki and Ralph Piscitelli for their help and kindness during John's illness.

There was no visitation. Cremation has taken place. Burial of the ashes took place at Assumption Cemetery in Syracuse. Arrangements are with the Farone and Son Funeral Home, Syracuse.

Memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Sat. August 3 at St. John the Baptist/Holy Trinity Church, 406 Court Street, Syracuse.

Condolences may be offered at www.faroneandson.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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July 29, 2013

Angela Riccardi Maroun

I was very sorry to read of John's passing. My sympathy to his family and friends.

July 28, 2013

Lori Jean Karluk

I have lost my closest family member since my parents passed away. Being more like a brother to me than a cousin, Jack was the most intelligent and strongest person I knew. I will remember all of our holidays, trips to the Rosamond Gifford Zoo (even in the rain, ha!), the Lights on the Lake and the New York State Fair for our birthdays that we enjoyed together. I miss the long conversations we had over the phone at least twice a week. He helped me through many difficult times in my life with his caring and insight. Jack loved showing me and my friends the sites of Syracuse, especially Clinton Square at Christmas-time. Although we lived 2 hours away from each other and couldn't be together all of the time, no matter where we were, we were together on the phone when the clock struck midnight every New Year's Eve, during Presidential election nights and other important events on television. Those events will not be the same and I will always miss you not being there. Jack, I know that you are with your parents, my "Aunt Nare and Uncle Jack" and are happy. Your Dad probably already told you a couple of jokes that he's been saving for you. Give your parents, my parents, Uncle Danny, Grandma and Grandpa a hug from me. Please pet Penny and Chico, too. I know that we will all be together again someday. I love you and miss you. You will always be in my thoughts and prayers along with great memories. God Bless You, my cousin and friend.

July 25, 2013

I met John 25 years ago at St. John the Baptist. In that time we served the parish in many ways, including festivals, Hope Appeal, money counting to name a few. He was an integral part of the St. John's community and will be missed by the whole parish. John was always someone you could count on when a helping hand was needed. It wasn't long after we met that our mutual love of Syracuse University and sports cemented our friendship. Over the years we enjoyed numerous SU football and basketball games. Our pregame ritual always included a meal at Cosmo's up on the hill. I'll miss the post game phone calls and classic line "how 'bout those orangemen" .You've been a great friend John !!

Chet Wisniewski

July 22, 2013

Bill Hessmiller

I will forever miss my "NY cousin" Jack. We didn't spend enough time together but we called each other and we talked and we talked. Being Hessmillers, we never had a shortage of conversations. I'll miss those conversations ... I'll miss you Jack. I still can't believe you're not here with us ... complaining about the Yankees and the republicans ... and showing by example how a "good man" lives. You were much more than a cousin, Jack. You were and will always be a friend. I know you have been re-united with your mom and dad. You are no longer troubled by anything as you are in the loving arms of Jesus, our Savior. Until we meet again, you will forever be in my thoughts and prayers. Love, your (OLDEST) cousin, Bill

July 22, 2013

Tom and Cathy Matkosky

We met Jack some years ago and made a dear friend immediately; you couldn't find a nicer guy anywhere. The one guy where even sports and politics could be fun conversation; Jack had an unending knowledge of so much, and was the person you wanted to show and tell you all about Syracuse. That 1st Christmas, when he sent us a kitchen calendar gift, and Lori said "that means he likes you a lot" - there's no gift we could give in return that would say how much we liked him. It was an easy call, to decide to go up for the fair, a movie, the zoo - but it was the visit with Jack that made it great. There's been an empty chair recently at Easter and Thanksgiving (so sad it will now always be that way), and it will be so hard to go to Stella's (if we even can), without his companionship. I had the honor of a childhood spent with another Hessmiller cousin, and will always treasure the time spent with Richie's big cousin Jack.

July 11, 2013

Dave Smolnycki

Back in the fall of 1973 we started a longtime friendship when we met at OCC along with Marty, Casey, Pirro, etc.. What I am remembering now are all the good times we shared. Remember we were always ahead of the times. Getting involved with the Chiefs Baseball News and then expanding into doing the NY-P League Newspaper. Say hi to Leo Pinckney who gave 2 unproven guys the opportunity to put out the NY-P League newspaper for a couple years. It was a fun time and wished it lasted longer.
What also comes to mind are the “road trips”. The IL cities we went to, the NY-P cities along with trips to Toronto, Buffalo (Bisons and Bills) and Lake Placid. Some memorable trips: the Southern Baseball swing of 1981 going to Charleston and Knoxville with Joel transporting a body laid out in the backseat (me) and breaking the pressbox window in Charleston. Oh don't forget about the “traveling road fruit”. Another trip was the Baseball Winter Meetings in 1983 with Clay and Richard. How can we forget Richard's “Ramon Bag”! Here we were looking to get a job in baseball and having other people who were looking for a job giving us their resumes because we were handing out copies of the Chiefs newspaper. And the classic of all trips going to Toronto with Casey and Marty and having Mike ending up driving on a runway at the Toronto Airport.
I want to thank you for being such an important person to my family, Dawn, Katie and Kimmie. Thanks for being a part of my wedding party, being “Uncle John” to the girls and especially being Kimmie's Godfather.
I miss our phone calls, going to Chiefs, Crunch, SU (football, basketball, and lacrosse) games. I always considered you like my “other” brother.
RIP John

July 8, 2013

James Pirro

I have lost one of my best friends. We met as freshmen at St. Johns's. We attended high school and college together. We always talked sports together and other issues. We shared fond memories of events we went to and things that was dear to our hearts. We gave advice to each other and said we would try when we get older to try to take care of each other, the best we could. Christmas was a special time for us. I always gave John a special card with phrases and past memories we shared. We would visit and have a fun time. I know he is happy where he is now with his mother, father and his past family. He always talked to me about his parents. They were very special persons. I know God is taking care of him now and someday we will be together again sharing our fond memories and starting new ones. John you might of won one game from me and struck out (blame John Sr. for the call) but over all you hit the home run. Miss you my buddy and God's blessing on you.

Jimmy Pirro

July 7, 2013

MARTY NAVE

in september 1973 john hessmiller who i had met earlier in the year began a friendship as long as any family member i have known.it was at onondaga community college where we were in basketball class at st.michaels parish center.john and i were both fans of the syracuse chiefs and syracuse mayor lee alexander.i soon learned however that john and i did not always agree.we shared a lot together .going to toronto,buffalo,rochester ,utica and auburn to see a major or minor league game.to cleveland to see his browns.we shared parties,friends,weddings,funerals and yes hockey games at the war memorial.john was also my neighbor.we went to franklin school at the same time,knew a lot of the guys and teachers but we did'nt know each other .john it was a great ride.what we shared at the table with dave and mike we made a lot of noise. you were the quiet one but you were good with the one liners.john i did'nt think a couple years ago i would lose my father and you.i miss our talks on the phone.i miss not having you in the car going to the chiefs games.i miss you my friend we had a great ride these past 40 years. like the 3 stooges you can replace curly with shemp but their is no curly.we could replace john but he would'nt be john, our faith has taught us death is not an ending but a beginning of new eternal life.john you are no longer alone at the table . your mother marietta,your father john who he always called you jack and your dog chico are at the table waiting for you .good night john and give them my regards.

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