Obituary of John S. Kotecki

KOTECKI, John Stanley Sr., "Big John", age 90 of Baldwinsville passed away Monday, April 6, 2020 after a brief hospital stay. John loved his family, his poker group, and the game of basketball, in which he was a college player, a coach, and a referee in earlier days. John liked to give back to the community, first by serving his country in the US Army and then through his church where he organized the annual church picnic and turkey bazaar. He also ran a Saturday morning basketball clinic for kids of all ages and was a Cubmaster for the Cub Scouts. He enjoyed playing golf with his friends and sons, and played in the Empire State Senior Games. After retirement he was a ranger at West Hill Golf Course in Camillus where he liked to tell the story that he went to school with Arnold Palmer at Wake Forest College. John worked for Nationwide Insurance in the claims department for 37 years. He is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Mary Ann, his three sons and their wives, John and Debbie, Jerome and Stacy, and Joseph and Openn, a sister, Eugenia Lambing and her husband Wayne, six grandchildren, James, Michael, Lindsey, Taylor, Jordan and Jake, and two great grandchildren, Max and Maya. Calling Hours are 10:30 am - 12:00 PM Wednesday, July 21 at Falardeau Funeral Home, followed by a 12 pm service at the funeral home. Contributions may be made to St. Augustine's Church in Baldwinsville, NY.