John R. Duskey
John R. Duskey, also known as Mr. Bell Telephone, 86, of Washington, passed away Monday, July 23, 2018, in his home.
The youngest of three, he was born July 13, 1932, in Washington, to the late John J. and Mildred Staniszewski Duskey.
He graduated in 1949 from Washington High school, then proudly served his country during the Korean War with the U.S. Air Force until 1952. He went on to complete courses in community and economic development at Penn State-Harrisburg.
On February 4, 1955, he married Betty June Sweitzer and started a beautiful family.
After 43 years, he retired from Bell Atlantic as director of public affairs. Before that, he had worked at Duncan Miller Glass and Hazel Atlas.
John and Betty raised their three children in Third United Presbyterian Church of Washington, now known as New Hope Church, and served in many capacities to show God’s love to the members of the church and the community in which they served.
His passion for nature and hunting assisted him in receiving multiple awards, including Pennsylvania Game Commission Hunter Education Award and Outstanding Instructor Award after serving as coordinator of hunter safety education for the state Game Commission, many rewarding years as a hunter education instructor for Washington County, and a founder of Washington County Youth Conservation Camp.
His love for education and enjoyment did not stop at hunting. He was a part of Trinity Area School Board and was field announcer for Trinity High School football games and band competitions, as well as W&J Presidents football team. His true sports passion though was baseball, evident through his years of service and dedication to boys baseball and world series tournaments. He fondly remembered over the years being chairman of the Bronco and Pony World Series, and his induction to the Washington-Greene County Chapter of Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 1997. His legacy with Pony League will live on with the John Duskey Concession Stand.
He was a proud member of Sunset Lodge 623, F&AM, for over 50 years, Lions Club, multiple boards, chambers of commerce and associations in the tri-county area. He utilized his education and career background to serve as chairman of Washington County Manufacturers Association. As a founding board member of Washington County Community Foundation, he established the foundation’s first permanent fund. The John R. Duskey endowment fund was created to assist organizations in creating their own legacy of volunteer service.
His dedication to serving the community lead to various legislative proclamations and other group recognitions and awards, including Eagle Merit Award, the Clyde Tracanna United Way of Washington’s Volunteer of the Year Award, Washington County Council on Economic Development Lifetime Achievement Award, Washington Jaycees Man of the Year award, Pittsburgh Pirates Community Night Award, Lions International President’s Award and Roy Gillespie Community Award from Washington Rotary Club. He also was a participant in the 1984 Olympic Torch Run.
Mr. Duskey taught his children, through example, the importance of combining knowledge and passion, with dedication and compassion to serve the community. His legacy will live on throughout the generations of his family.
He is survived by his son, David (Faith) Duskey of Camp Hill; daughter Vicky (Richard) Brogden of Galloway, N.J.; six granddaughters, Erin (Rey Dexter) Gagabuan of Wormleysburg, Brittany (Samuel) Bennett of Windsor Mill, Md., Ashly and Katy Duskey of Camp Hill and Brielle and Erica Britko of Galloway; two great-grandchildren, Felix Alan Gagabuan and Scarlett Bennett; and sister-in-law Stella (the late Stanley) Duskey.
In addition to his parents, deceased are his wives, Betty June and Romaine C. Grable; sister Josephine Turczynski; brother Stanley Duskey; son Donald Duskey; and great-grandson Gideon Andrew Gagabuan.
Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where additional visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m., the time of services, Saturday, July 28, with Pastor Kevin Montgomery officiating. A masonic service will be held immediately prior to the 11 a.m. service. A Lions Club service will be held in the funeral home at 7 p.m. Friday.
Burial will follow in Washington Cemetery. Military rites will be accorded graveside by Claysville American Legion Post 639.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to John R. Duskey Fund or PONY Baseball Inc., through Washington County Community Foundation, to continue his legacy of passion and dedication to the community. Make checks payable to Washington County Community Foundation, and mail to 1253 Route 519, P.O. Box 308, Eighty Four, PA 15330. Reference John R. Duskey or Pony Baseball fund in the memo line of one’s check. Donations may also be made at www.wccf.net.
Additional information and a guest book are available at www.NealFuneralHome.com.