John Slezosky Sr.

John Edmund Slezosky Sr. died unexpectedly, but peacefully, in his home on Tues., April 21, 2015 in Levittown, PA, at the age of 78. He was born on March 4, 1937 in Shenandoah, PA, to Edmund and Sarah Slezosky. John was a professional musician, a public school teacher, and a union activist. He worked his way through college playing piano in night clubs, in small combos, and in big bands. His most rewarding musical experiences included performing as organist and arranger for "The Original Jones Boys", performing with "Harry and Friends", and working as choir director and organist for Christ United Methodist Church. He worked in the Bristol Twp. School District as a music teacher and chorus director from 1962 until 1972, where he influenced and effected many students with his love and passion for music. He was well-respected by his peers in education. As a union activist, he worked as an organizer, negotiator, and a trainer. It is no secret to readers of the Courier Times editorial pages that he believed in the necessity of unions and in their ability to secure fair contracts for their members. He took his greatest pleasure in sharing time with his family and friends. He was quick to laugh, loud and long, at himself and with those around him. His laugh was memorable and infectious. He always saw the best in everyone and "never met a person he didn't like." During the last year, he developed a method and wrote a manual for sight reading music. It was a great source of pride for him. John is survived by his son John Edmund Slezosky Jr. and his wife Holly and their 3 children Ashley, Alexander John, and Haley all of Croydon, PA; his daughter JoAnne Howland and her husband James and their 2 children Michael and Brianna all of Chambersburg, PA, and his daughter Christine Slezosky of Chambersburg, PA. He is also survived by his step-son Kenneth Kotsur and his wife Grace of San Marino, CA, and his step-son John L. (Jack) Kotsur of Fairless Hills, PA; his step-daughter Lynn Kotsur Armstrong and her husband Douglas and their 3 children Carley John, Gwen, and Jordyn all of Levittown, PA; his brother Edmund John Slezosky and his wife Mary of Hanover, PA, and brother William Slezosky of Shenandoah, PA; his sister-in-law Barbara Fedor Kuchar of West Hazelton, PA; and his ex-wife Anne Ross Slezosky of Levittown. He is preceded in death by his wife Patricia Kotsur Slezosky of Levittown, PA. He also has many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly. Family and friends may attend his viewing on Thurs., April 30, from 10-11am, at Christ United Methodist Church in Fairless Hills, PA. A Funeral Service will begin at 11am. Interment will follow in Beechwood Cemetery in Bensalem, PA. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Slezosky Sr., please visit our flower store.