John S. Lachowski

JOHN S. LACHOWSKI aka “CHOWDER,” aged 64, after a fierce and brave 4 yr. battle with leukemia, rode a sky rocket to Heaven on July 4, 2023 - Independence Day – his favorite holiday.

Loving son of John and the late Nancy (nee Gergye); dear brother of Denise (Cindy Klements), Sharon Dewhirst and Mary (John) Pastirik; devoted Godfather and uncle of Matthew Dewhirst;  proud uncle of Emma, Owen and Anna Pastirik; special family member to Fran, Fran Marie (Louis Altazin) and Carolyn Connelly;  beloved grandson of the late Michael and Katherine Lachowski and late John and Mary Gergye; and loving godson of the late Rita (Gergye) Stalzer and the late Walter Lachowski.

John was a dedicated and devoted nephew, cousin, neighbor, and friend to so many. He cherished his friendships with the Tyson, Watterson, Bridgeforth, and Twitt families. Through them he gained brothers. During the past two years, John became especially close to his cousin Diane Alexander and they spoke nightly talking about their respective days and sharing memories.

John was a true-blue and loyal resident of Bedford.  He spent summers swimming at the Bedford Pool, showing off his diving and cannonball skills from the ‘high dive.’ He loved playing Little League baseball, then Men’s softball at the Bedford Glens. He graduated from Bedford High School in 1977. He attended nearly every Memorial Day and Fourth of July parade, and most events hosted on the Square in the Bedford Commons - usually armed with a bag of candy to share.  As an avid bicyclist, he rode his bicycles everywhere nearly year-round.

John was a diehard Indians (no name change, please!), Cavs, Browns, Buckeyes, and NASCAR fan. He loved America and deeply appreciated our military service people and veterans. John was also proud of his Polish-Hungarian ethnicity and loved pierogis and stuffed cabbage.

John was most passionate about landscaping – that’s what kept him going. He was the hardest working landscaper in town – summer, winter, spring and fall. He loved to create neat and beautiful yards and flower beds, and to keep driveways and walks safely clear of snow & ice for his family, neighbors, and customers.  John also laid cement, installed landscape sprinkler systems, did blacktop work, car body shop work, and managed a quick oil change shop during his working lifetime.

While John had his challenges in his life he was most proud, as was his family, to have been sober for the last 6 years of his life.

At John’s and his family’s request, please wear your favorite Indians, Cavs, Browns, Buckeyes, or Patriotic attire to visitation. 

Friends and family will be received Sunday, July 16 from 1 – 4 p.m., at St. John Funeral Home, 923 Broadway Ave. Bedford Ohio (one mile west of the Forbes-Broadway Exit off I-271). 

Cremation.  Mass of Christian Burial, at 11 a.m. Monday, July 17 at Our Lady of Hope Church, 400 Center Road, Bedford. (Please meet at Church). Burial to follow Mass at Bedford Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, family suggests contributions to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: Fundraising for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society - DIY (lls.org)  or to the Bedford Historical Society, 30 S. Park St., Bedford, OH 44146