Lieutenant Colonel (retired) John J. Gawrysiak passed away on December 4, 2020. He was born on December 3, 1957 in Seneca Falls, NY to Flora and John Gawrysiak. John is survived by his wife Rochelle Gawrysiak, brother Patrick Gawrysiak (Danielle), sister Joy Gawrysiak (Chuck Peters), nephews Graham, Nigel, Aidan, and Eric Bradley and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. John enlisted in the Air Force as an Airman and was the Honor Graduate of his basic training class. In 1979, he joined the Reserve Officer Tranining Corps program at Eastern Carolina University where he continued to excel and was eventually the Cadet Commander of 100 other students. John spent his entire career in the personnel field being commissioned in 1981 and retiring as a Lietuenant Colonel in 2004 as Deputy J1 of Special Operations Command Central. He served at various bases throughout the world to include Scott AFB, Shaw AFB, Shemya AFB, Norton AFB, George AFB and MacDill AFB. He had many combat tours in the Middle East having served in Desert Storm, Desert Thunder, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. His numerous awards and decorations included the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation medal, Basic Training Honor Graduate, and Southwest Asia Service Medal.

After serving 23 years, John retired in 2004 and enjoyed playing golf, billiards, exercising, participating in Gasparilla parades, attending concerts with friends and dining at Besito. John made lifelong friendships and greatly enriched all of those who knew him. He was amazingly kind and considerate. He was an avid photographer, car enthusiast and loved to travel. He was energetic, intuitive, organized, and a perfectionist. He enjoyed playing poker and spending the holidays with family. John found a life partner and friend in Rochelle. John always said life is good and, in his memory, he wants you to live life to its fullest.

John's final resting place is Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL and he is forever in our hearts.

"Entrusted To Our Care"

MaacDonald Funeral Home