Obituary of John J. Hostoffer

Mount Pleasant, John J. "Jack" Hostoffer Sr., age 79 of Mount Pleasant,PA, died Friday (07/27/2012) in Excela Health- Frick Hospital, Mt. Pleasant, PA. Mr. Hostoffer was born November 5, 1932 in Mount Pleasant, PA, the son of the late Joseph and Bridget Blaszkowski (Closkey) Hostoffer. He was a member of St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church of Mt. Pleasant. Jack was a 1952 graduate of the former Ramsay High School. He served his country proudly in the United States Army and was a veteran of the Korean War. He was a member of the American Legion Post 446 and the VFW Post 3368, both of Mt. Pleasant. Jack was also a dedicated member of the Mt. Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department with 55 years of service, where he served as Captain of the Rescue Squad No. 38-5 for 38 of those years. He also was past treasurer of the MPVFD Relief Association, and Sergeant at Arms for the Department. Jack was an integral part of the Mount Pleasant Community. He was instrumental in the development of the Mount Pleasant Little League Field, the original construction of the Gazebo in Veteran's Park, and was responsible for the installation of the flag poles in Veteran's Park, the MPVFD Memorial, St Pius X Cemetery, and on Main Street at the VFW Building. Jack was a member of the Mount Pleasant Nativity Scene Committee for more than 50 years, and the Glass and Ethnic Festival for more than 20 years, and 55 years Mt. Pleasant Street Fair. He was a dedicated member of the St Pius X Festival Committee, and had also enjoyed working the food stands for the former Transfiguration Church Festivals. Jack was also known as "Mr. PA System" for the VFW and the American Legion in Mount Pleasant, handling their Memorial Day and Veteran's Day functions. Mount Pleasant has lost one of it's most active, caring and concerned citizens. He will truly be missed, not only by his family and friends, but by all those who knew him, and the entire Mount Pleasant Community. Jack is survived by his loving family: his beloved wife of 59 years, Marjorie E. (Margie) Rich Hostoffer, his son, John J. "Hosty" Hostoffer, Jr. and his wife Marcia Mitrisin, and his grandson whom he adored, Jonathan Franklin Hostoffer, all of Mt. Pleasant. He is also survived by his brother; Robert Hostoffer and his wife Alice of Ohio, and by numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Jack was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters; Joseph S.Jr., Raymond, and Frank Hostoffer, Gertrude Brasco and Margaret Shutty, and by his father and mother-in-law, Pete and Elsie Caruso Rich, and sister-in-law Geraldine Albright. Family and friends will be received Monday from 2 to 9 PM at the Galone-Caruso Funeral Home, 204 Eagle Street, Mount Pleasant. A private blessing service will be held in the funeral home for Jack's immediate family, Jack's Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday at 10:00 AM in St. Pius X R C Church, Summit & S Silver Streets, Mount Pleasant, with the Rev. Richard J. Kosisko as celebrant. If you are attending the Funeral Mass, please go directly to the Church. A Fireman's Interment with full military rites accorded by the American Legion Post 446 and the VFW Post #3368 will be in the St. Pius X Parish Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant. A Parish Wake Service will be held in the funeral home Monday @3PM. The Mt. Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department will conduct Memorial Services at 7PM Monday evening. To offer an online condolence, please visit our website at www.galone-carusofuneralhome.com