John L. Guesman
formerly of Perryopolis
John L. Guesman, 79, formerly of Perryopolis, passed away Thursday, December 7, 2023, in Clarksville, Tenn. He was born March 23, 1944, in Star Junction, a son of the late Arthur and Freda Kash Guesman.
John was a 1962 graduate of Frazier High School and attended the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics, where he received a license in airframe and powerplant mechanics.
He was employed by Pratt and Whitney Aircraft in Hartford, Conn., as a jet engine inspector. He attended RCA Electronics Technician School and was employed by RCA in Paterson, N.J. During this time, John was also a flight dispatcher for Fisher Aviation in Teterboro, N.J.
He later attended college to pursue a teaching degree and graduated from William Paterson University in Wayne, N.J.
In 1972, John and his high school sweetheart, Lenora, returned to Pennsylvania, where he began his teaching career in the Frazier School District, retiring in 2002 after 30 years of teaching.
John loved aviation and was a licensed commercial pilot and flight instructor. With a great appreciation of nature, he enjoyed flying over rivers, hills and valleys and shared those rides with anyone he could convince of his capabilities in handling a safe flight and landing.
He was a car and motorcycle enthusiast. He loved telling stories of working on his ’51 Ford along with his dad at a time when cars could be fixed with a basic knowledge of auto mechanics. He had a great sense of pride when he recounted painting the entire car candy apple red.
John found much pleasure visiting the national parks and traveling the western part of the country. He loved riding his Harley and driving his sports car convertible.
John’s greatest sense of pride was his family, and he looked forward to cooking for them as an extra welcoming with they visited. He was a great baker and loved trying new recipes for family and friends.
John had a life-long love of animals. His daughters fondly remember his stories of childhood pets to include a duck and a monkey. He always had a dog at his side.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by sister, Judith Anderson.
He is survived by wife, Lenora; daughters, Terri Foster (Dr. Andrew Foster) of University Place, Wash., and Jill Standley (Dr. Chris Standley) of Clarksville, Tenn.; and grandsons, Ian and Declan Foster, Connor and Spencer Standley; nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, December 14, in PARZYNSKI FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATIONS, LLC, 191 Liberty Street, Perryopolis, where funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, December 15, followed by entombment at LaFayette Memorial Park, Brier Hill.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Fayette Friends of Animals, P.O. Box 1282, Uniontown, PA 15401, or www.fayettefriendsofanimals.net. Condolences to the family accepted at www.parzynskifuneralhome.com