John R Laskey

John R. Laskey, 62, of East Sparta, passed away on September 24, 2021 at Mercy Medical Center. He was born in Canton on December 14, 1958 to Richard and Christine (Kochanek) Laskey. He was a 1977 graduate of Perry High School and where he met the love of his life, Karen Hudak, whom he married on August 16, 1980. John had always been known as a hard worker. During high school, he began working at Mercy Medical Center in the dietary department and then settled into his life-long career at Mercy as an electrician in the plant engineer department where he retired after 45 years of service. He was also a self-taught fixer-upper and repair man completing many projects and renovations around the house. In his earlier years, he was also very skilled at working on cars and rebuilding engines which his children remember him playing Elvis Presley and other Oldies music while in the garage. In addition for his love of music, John was an avid animal lover, especially for his own dogs, Remmi and Princess and his horses Thunder, Holly, Cheyenne and Savannah. He will be deeply missed by his high school sweetheart Karen Laskey of 42 years; his son Dan (Rachel) Laskey and his daughter Melissa (Marcus) Kettle; his mother Christine Laskey; siblings Rose (Joseph) Rodojev, Linda (Jerry) Shortt, Laurie (Don) Norris and Richard (Michelle) Laskey, Jr.; his beloved grandchildren who were his pride and joy Zachary, Brooke and Alexander who better knew him as “Papaw or Papa John”; as well as numerous family members including his mother-in-law Helen Hudak and cousin Judy Laskey. John was preceded in death by his father, Richard Laskey and father-in-law Edward Hudak. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, September 29th from 6-8 p.m. at the Paquelet Funeral Home in Massillon. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. at St. Joan of Arc and burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in John’s name to the Stark County Humane Society, 5100 Peach St NE, Louisville, OH 44641. Paquelet Funeral Home 330-833-3222