Obituary of John N. Grisak

John 'Jack' N. Grisak 88, passed away on March 12, 2007. Born in Robins (Trail Run), Ohio. An Akron resident since 1929, he graduated from Garfield HS and studied at the Applied Art Academy under the tutelage of Marc Moon. Jack served five years in the Army during WWII and was a draftsman/designer at Goodyear, retiring with 32 years service. At Goodyear he designed rubber tanks for racecars and inflatable rafts for aircraft. But his most "high" profile assignment was developing the character balloons for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Bullwinkle, Donald Duck and Snoopy were among the balloons Jack designed and then helped escort on tether lines through the streets of Manhattan. Painting and art made up a big part of his life. He and wife Anne loved to travel the United States, Mexico, Canada and Europe. His memories of a peaceful spot from his travels were frequent subjects of his paintings. And just last year, Jack had his first public art exhibition. His brother George precedes Jack in death. He leaves his dear wife of 52 years, Anne; sister Wilma Malish; nephews Tim and Nick (Rebecca) Grisak of Akron, Andy (Vicky) Veselenak and Gene Veselenak all of Byesville, Ohio; nieces Marianne (Bill) Price of Akron, Cathy (Joe) Pastre of New Concord; cousin Dick (Martha) Repasky; great nieces and nephews Karen Coon, Julie Spicer, Jon Grisak, Cale Morse, Nick and Adam Veselenak, as well as many nieces and nephews who were like grandchildren to him. Jack will be sorely missed by those named above and his greater family at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church where he was a lifelong member, singing in the choir and serving as financial secretary and cemetery administrator for many years. The family will receive friends Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Kucko-Anthony- Kertesz Funeral Home, 95 W. Waterloo Rd., where a Parastas service will be held at 6:30 pm. Funeral services will be Friday at 11 a.m. at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Mogadore where Jack will lie in state for one hour prior to the service. Interment at St. Nicholas Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jack's memory may be made to St. Nicholas Orthodox Church. (Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz, 330-724-1281, www.kakfh.com)