John Prochaska

John Robert Prochaska, 66, of Copley, Ohio passed away peacefully on the morning of February 16th, 2024 with his devoted children by his side. John was born in Medina, Ohio on October 5th, 1957 to Robert and Julia Prochaska. He was a graduate of Norton High School class of 1975. After 2 years as a press operator, John entered Hamlin Steel (T&W Stamping) as a tool and die apprentice in 1979. John then started his own company, Vertex, and proudly ran it for 10 years. He went on to devote over 30 years to T&W Stamping, working his way from press operator to VP of Engineering. He was known as a great mentor, hardworking, fair and respected, and "quick to acknowledge the needs and requirements of our customers, and put their demands ahead of his personal time" (Award of Merit, 1986).

John was known as a Jack of all trades, a true hobby master. His interests ranged everywhere from building engines to making poodle skirts for his daughters. As a child he and his 2 brothers would race in gocarts with homemade engines, using only a 2x4 to stop--sometimes--or climb to the highest point of any tree he could find to sway back and forth. As he grew his inquisitive nature developed. He learned to make candles, pies, blacksmithed, canned, made maple syrup, built model trains, woodworked, built (and burned) boats, worked on his motorcycle, built his house, and was known to have over 100 clocks in his house at once that he meticulously refurbished. He was preceded in death by his cat Rocky, and loved the sound of his turtle and fish tanks as he worked or slept nearby. John was a devoted Browns fan, and could talk about rockets and space for hours with his son. John loved keeping family traditions alive, and he looked forward to taking his kids and their friends to Cedar Point on Memorial Day every year for the past 20 years, hosting Thanksgiving in July, and always put on a light show to rival Clark Griswold. If his kids ever needed him he was right there to help with any home improvement, break down, or moment big or small in their lives. John's greatest joys, though, were his grandsons and granddaughter. He will be truly missed as they grow.

John was preceded in death by his father Robert Prochaska and infant son John. He leaves behind his loving mother Julia Prochaska, brothers Robert and Richard Prochaska, his four children Tiffany (Mario), Samantha (Chad), Katherine (Aaron), and Joseph (Cassandra), and his 6 grandchildren Vincent, Jane, Dexter, Alexander, August, and week old Ari.

Visitation will be held at Hummel Funeral Home in Copley on Wednesday, February 21st from 11a-1p with a memorial service to follow, then graveside service at Copley Cemetery to follow. Flower arrangements are entrusted to Hummel Funeral Home, 3475 Copley Rd, Akron, OH 44321, and will be donated after the funeral to Bath Manor Special Care Centre.