A Mass of Christian Burial for John Benedict Pressey, 86, of Newark, will be held at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 11:00 A.M., Saturday, February 25, 2023, with Fr. David Sizemore as celebrant. Calling will be held at the church from 10-11 A.M., prior to the service. Inurnment in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery will follow the Mass.

John, a United States Army Veteran, died at the Selma Markowitz Care Center of Hospice of Central Ohio, on Friday, February 17, 2023. He was born in Brooklyn, New York on May 7, 1936 and was soon placed in the Angel Guardian Home to be with an older sister. When he was nine months old John, his sister and, later, a younger brother were placed in the home of Jack and Pearl Wilson, loving foster parents who raised the three siblings along with many other children. The Wilsons had been Vaudeville entertainers and so the children were exposed to music and theater leading to John's love of both.

John graduated from John Adams High School, Long Island. He was a good student, participating in school, church, and All-State choirs and playing sports. John received his B.A. in Philosophy and Comparative Religions from Columbia University and his Masters of Industrial Psychology from the University of Cincinnati. He retired from the transportation industry as a trucking executive, having worked in sales and management.

John was a parishioner of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church and sang in their Sunday Church Choir. During his working years John participated in Chamber of Commerce and community activities. He served on the boards of the Kraner Behavioral Health Partners and Newark Granville Symphony.

John had a great sense of humor and loved to perform with the local talent at Licking County Players, Weathervane Playhouse, Suitcase Theater, and the Cedar Hill Cemetery Walks hosted by the Licking County Historical Society. He enjoyed cooking for family and friends. He was a member of the Moundbuilders Country Club and loved the game of golf. Vacations always included golf and he and Vicki made many friends over the years during their travels. They also participated in the Newark Cup Golf Tournament for many years, still maintaining dear friendships with those in the UK.

He will be greatly missed by his wife of 47 years, Vicki (Doneff) Pressey; children, Sean (Kerry) Pressey, Melissa Williams, Andrew Pressey, and Shannon Lovegrove (Andrew Smith); grandchildren, Dylan Snider, Allison Pressey and John Lamp; sister-in-law, Catherine Pressey; brothers-in-law, John and Chris Doneff; nephews, Thomas, Robert, and Joseph Pressey and niece, Patrice (Tim) Trujillo.

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his brother, Thomas Pressey; sister, Patricia (Edward) Jurgensen; and sister-in-law, Carol Doneff.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in John's name be made to Hospice of Central Ohio, 2269 Cherry Valley Road, Newark, Ohio 43055.

For those attending services, parking is available behind the church and is only accessible from 5 ^th Street. A handicap ramp is also accessible from this same lot.

REED-EGAN FUNERAL HOME, 141 Green Wave Drive, Newark is assisting the family with arrangements. To share your memory of John or leave a condolence for the family, please visit www.reedegan.com.