NORWICH – John J. Hanyak, 71, of Marcellus passed away Tuesday May 31, 2011 at the Francis House after a short battle with lung cancer.
Born and raised in Syracuse, he graduated from St. Pat’s High School and worked at the 7up Bottling Company, which was started by his grandfather. In 1987, he became a Real Estate Broker for Realty USA. He was a member of the Marcellus United Methodist Church, the Audubon Society and a veteran of the Marines. In 2009 he was the recipient of a new heart at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA.
John loved the outdoors, spending time working in his yard and adding to his long list of ”new” birds and butterflies. He also loved to spend time with his wife, children and grandchildren vacationing yearly in Myrtle Beach enjoying all of them.
John is survived by his wife of 34 years Bonnie, son Brett (Michele) Wightman of Norwich; daughter Brenda (Steve) Schabel of Landing, N.J.; sisters Joan (Larry) Craybas, Carol Hooper and Dorothy (Kenneth) DeFabio; grandchildren Ben, Brian and Brandon Wightman, Max and Luke Schabel and several nieces and nephews. John was predeceased by his parents John and Sophie Hanyak of Syracuse.
Services for John will be 11 a.m. Monday at the Marcellus United Methodist Church. Friends may call on the family from 1-4 p.m. Sunday at the Plis Funeral Home, 33 North St., Marcellus.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in John’s memory may be made to the Francis House 108 Michaels Ave. Syracuse, NY 13208.