Joseph F. "Pops" Spisak

October 11, 1947 - January 27, 2022

On January 27, 2022, angels from heaven came to accompany Joseph F. Spisak “Pops” to eternal life. The term “rest in peace”, does not apply here…we expect Pops is golfing, building things, spreading humor and catching up with family and friends who preceded him in death. Pops was born on October 11, 1947 to Adele (Szoka) and Joseph Spisak. He graduated from Warrensville Heights High School in 1965 and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Two years later, on December 9, 1967, Joe married Lanette Vinci and they moved to Honolulu, Hawaii where he was stationed until he was honorably discharged in 1969. Following his service to his country, Joe worked full-time at Western Union Data Services during the day and went to night school at Lake Erie College. After receiving his degree in 1979, Joe began a several decade’s long career at Allen Bradley/Rockwell Automation where he retired in 2012. As a manager of Global Marketing, Joe traveled to all four corners of the world during his nearly 35 years. Joe always put family and faith first. He has been an active member of St. Mary of the Assumption parish in Mentor for nearly 5 decades—playing CYO softball; teaching PSR, RCIA and pre-baptismal classes; coaching the boy’s baseball and girl’s softball teams; and participating in the Men’s Club, Renewal and summer festivals. Also, he was a lector, choir member, Eucharistic minister, server for daily mass and money counter. Joe and Lanette had two daughters, Jennifer Spisak (John) Cameron and Christina (Ken) Skilton; five grandchildren, Michael Skilton (fiancée Natalee Langton), Rachel (Sean) Meabon, Jenna Skilton, Ian Cameron and Gracye Cameron; and three great-grandchildren, John Paul, Isaiah and Marianna Meabon. On October 23, 2019, our lives changed in an instant when Pops was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer. His prognosis was 8 to 11 months; his faith, humor and compassion for others never wavered and his will was strong. Pops took pride in proving everyone wrong. He defied the odds, fought hard, baffled his oncologist and lived for two years, three months and four days. Pops went to heaven surrounded by his wife, daughters, grandchildren, sister-in-law, cousin-in-law, niece, nephews and Ted, his faithful furry companion. The family will receive friends to celebrate Joe’s life from 4-8 p.m. Friday, February 4, 2022 at the Brunner Sanden Deitrick Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 8466 Mentor Ave., Mentor, OH 44060. A funeral mass in honor of Joe will be held 12 noon Saturday, February 5, 2022 at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 8560 Mentor Ave., Mentor, OH 44060 (Please meet at the church.) Private family inurnment will be held in Mentor Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve, P.O. Box 72101, Cleveland, OH 44192, donate online at www.hospicewr.org or to Donna’s Christmas Trees, 1802 Spruce Lane, Painesville, OH 44077, donate online at www.donnaschristmastrees.com. Please offer condolences at www.brunners.com.