John Francis Ditchey

John F. "Jack" Ditchey died of sepsis Monday June 30, 2008 at 1:45 pm at Northside Hospital Surgical Intensive Care Unit with all of his family at his side. He entered Northside May 13, 2008 for surgery for a broken leg, and endured five unplanned abdominal surgeries. He fought as hard as a person possibly could to survive. He was 69. Jack was born July 23, 1938 in Port Carbon, PA. As a young child he moved to Newton Falls, Ohio when his father found work at the Ravenna Arsenal during WW II. Jack graduated from Newton Falls High in 1956 where he was on the football and baseball teams, and went to Boys State. While in high school Jack often worked before the school day to help his family He graduated from Bowling Green State University June 4, 1961 with a BS in Business Administration, having paid his own tuition by working. At BGSU he was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He graduated in five years because he took a year off to help his family. He excelled in biology and geology (especially fossils). After graduating from BGSU, he moved to Cleveland to work at Republic Steel. He then moved to Youngstown in the early 1960's to become a pharmaceutical sales rep with Burroughs-Welcome, and later Ciba-Giegy. It was a career he would devote over 40 years of his life to. He was selected to train others with computer training. He was recognized many times with trips and awards for his performance, and earned a Rolex watch as part of his retirement. From the mid 1960's to 2005 he lived in Austintown. He was very proud of the woods and lake he owned on Edinburgh Dr., and loved boating, fishing, and vegetable gardening there. He was kind to animals and often allowed his son to keep strays that "moved in." He was especially fond of Matt's dog Wolf, and his and Marlene's cats Martha and Matilda. Jack overcame many hardships and health problems throughout his life, but never complained and always looked on the bright side of things. Throughout all of his difficulties, his first priority was always his family. Jack had a wide variety of interests. He loved reading, computers, meercats, the History Channel, Car & Driver magazine, and was fascinated with Australia. He followed NASCAR since 1960, and liked Jr., Dale Earnhardt, Sr., Richard Petty, and Cale Yarborough. He took his son Matt to the infamous 1979 Daytona 500. He was a fan of the Cleveland Browns and Boston Celtics since the 1950's and liked Ted Williams, Red Auerbach, and John Havilcek. He often took his children to Cleveland Indians games, especially if they were playing the Boston Red Sox. He hated the NY Yankees, the "Piggsburgh" Steelers, Oakland Raiders and their owner Al "The Rat" Davis. He loved music, especially old time country ("hillbilly" music as he called it), bluegrass and Willie Nelson. His favorite songs were Waltzing Matilda, Ol Blue by Grandpa Jones, Drop Kick Me Jesus Through The Goal Posts of Life by Bobby Bare, Cadillac Ranch by Bruce Springsteen, and Amazing Grace, which will be played on bagpipes at his funeral. Jack won over 30 trophies and set the track record at Sunset Drag Strip in North Jackson for his class in his 1970 Mustang Mach 1 that he purchased new. He loved driving his red 1978 Corvette with the roof off, license plate J 707 D. Not many people bought Corvettes for their kids to drive to school, but Jack did. Jack was extremely intelligent, and was everyone's first choice as Trivial Pursuit teammate. Jack was always proud to be an American, and very much liked George Patton and Ronald Reagan. He despised Bill & Hillary, taxes, and the Kennedys. Jack was an excellent cook and loved grilling. He was famous for his grilled pork chops, chicken soup, and "one bean" chili, (celebrated at his Donner Party Memorial Chili party) made with one of his favorite "secret' ingredients, Miller Genuine Draft. He loved to entertain people, had an amazing sense of humor, and always went out of his way to make sure everyone had fun. He leaves his wife Marlene of Canfield; his children from his first marriage to the former Bonnie Grondeski: daughter Melanie of Canfield, son Atty. Tim (Yana) of Cleveland, son Atty. Matt of Youngstown; grandchildren Jackie Serra, Ryan Ditchey, and Nadia Ditchey; brothers Tom (Helen) and Dave (Yvonne). He was preceded in death by his father Tom in 1976, and mother Anne in 1995. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Angels For Animals, 4750 State Route 165, Canfield, Ohio 44406. Calling hours will be Wed (today) from 5-8 at Lane Funeral Home in Canfield. Funeral Services will be 11 am Thursday morning at St. Michael's in Canfield. He will be buried at Resurrection Cemetery in Austintown. And remember dad, "We don't need no stinkin' badges." YFIC, -Matt.