John P. Bleclic, 97, of Centerton, OH peacefully passed away Tuesday, September 4, 2018 at his home in Spotsylvania, VA. He was born 7/12/1921 to Croatian immigrants, Josip and Helena Bajkovec.

John and his siblings grew up in a Catholic orphanage in Ohio. He attended St. Paul High School in Norwalk, OH and in his senior year, received his letter for football. After graduation, he joined the United States Navy as a weatherman and traveled the world setting foot in all but one continents. He was part of the Sino-American Cooperative Organization during WW2 in the "Rice Paddy Navy" in China. The movie Destination Gobi is loosely based on this; however, author Linda Kush has published "The Ride Paddy Navy; U.S. Sailors Undercover in China" which offers a more accurate picture of his mission there.

He made three trips to the Antarctic on the USS Glacier, and two Antarctic peaks are named after him. During his younger years, he was an avid sportsman, playing football, boxing, golf, bowling, track, and baseball having turned down an offer to pitch for the Detroit Tigers.

John retired from the USN as a Chief Petty Officer and then went to work for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Suitland, MD while raising 3 of his daughters. Upon his government retirement, he moved to Rutherfordton, NC where he enjoyed many years gardening, wine making, delivering newspapers, remodeling his farmhouse, fishing, making football bets and helping others. He eventually returned to Maryland and finally Virginia where he enjoyed his last years gardening, sneaking snacks to his dogs, helping his great grandkids with their homework, and having lunch dates with his special girl Ally.

John was a hard working, fearless and seemingly indestructible man, who held on to his faith throughout his life and passed that on to his family. He loved his cigars, sweet wine, spicy food, crab cakes, Reeses' Peanut Butter Cups, Rocky Road Ice Cream, Washington Redskins, betting the ponies, and never turned down an opportunity to have fun. His life was full and well lived; and he was well loved.

John is predeceased by his daughter, Patricia Ann Bleclic Lanier; son, Joseph J. Bleclic; and daughter, Theresa Marie Bleclic.

He is survived by his sister, Emilie Heabler of Akron, OH; daughters, Joan M. Posey (Don) of Indian Head, MD, Mary B. Frazier (Glenn Anderson) of St. Petersburg, FL, and Kathy B. Symborski (Sean) of Spotsylvania, VA; 8 grandchildren, Thomas J. Davis, Brandi M. Acaron, Jonathon R. Lanier, Matthew E. Lanier, Peter J. Zaccarella, Racquel A. Fisher, Kollin R. Purvis, and Gracine M. Purvis; 8 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

A graveside service with full military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. An informal memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, October 27, 2018 from noon-3pm at The Tavern at Lee's Hill, Fredericksburg VA. Friends and family are welcomed to celebrate his life.

We would like to say a special “thank you” to all dad’s caregivers over the years, Liz Romasco Hash, Claudia Polanco, Stephanie Rafferty, and Willia, Maxi, Sandra, Aurora, Latash and all the staff from Virginia Home Care Partners.