John Joseph Weyand

John Joseph Weyand, 91, went to his eternal home on Oct.12, surrounded by loving family. (Provided photo)

John Joseph Weyand, 91, went to his eternal home on Oct.12, surrounded by loving family.

Born on Feb. 17, 1934, in Hornell, N.Y., to Ernst H. Weyand and Veronica Louise Fitzgibbon, John was the youngest of six children. The eldest, was his sister Mary Jane (Sister Barbara), and then four brothers, Ernst Henry, Karl John, James Francis and Thomas Aquinas — all “Irish Twins.”

He attended St. Ann’s Elementary School and Hornell High School. John would note that his childhood took place at a time and in a town where he could wander from dawn to dusk or dusk to dawn and return safely to family.

After graduating high school in 1952, John entered the seminary. He attended St. Andrew’s and St. Bernard’s in Rochester and subsequently St. Mary’s Roland Park in Baltimore, Md. He was ordained on May 26, 1962, along with his lifelong friend Father Frank O’Connor. His early priestly assignments included the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany and St. Mary’s in Cooperstown.

Entering the United States Armed Services in 1970, Father John traveled the world as an Army chaplain. He spread the good word and provided spiritual, emotional and moral support while also having many adventures and meeting presidents, popes and rock bands along the way. He served in Ft. Knox, Ky.; Vietnam; Ft. Lewis, Wash.; Korea; Savannah, Ga.; New York, New York (Chaplain’s School); Arlington National Cemetery; Germany; Ft. Hood, Texas; Dugway Proving Ground, Utah; Ft. Meyer, Va.; Ft. Ritchie and Camp David, Md. Upon his return to Albany, in 1992, he served as the chaplain at the Albany Medical Center until his military retirement in 1994 as a major. He received numerous U.S Army awards and decorations, including service ribbons, service medals, the Vietnamese Medal of Honor, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Bronze Star and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm.

Father John was the much-loved pastor of St. Joseph’s Church in Greenfield Center and St. Paul’s Church in Rock City Falls following his military service. As pastor, Father John instituted several projects including the Jail Awareness Action Movement and construction of a Prayer Trail, while filling his schedule with nursing home and hospital visits and supporting and encouraging Saratoga Central Catholic (SCC) students, in addition to his parish duties. He was selected to be one of the two recipients of SCC’s 2001 Caritas Award for extraordinary Christians who have supported the mission and ministry of SCC through their selfless giving of time, talents and resources.

Following his retirement from priesthood, John married the “love of his life,” Gloria, in 2002. From their wedding day until his last earthly day, John was a devoted and loving husband. There is no doubt he shall keep vigil as her angel, until heaven opens its gates to her. Together they spread compassion, kindness, joy and understanding through their work in the jail ministry, mediation matters and other volunteer pursuits. They also enjoyed traveling, taking in the classical SPAC season, hiking, whitewater rafting, and spending time with their friends and family, especially their grandchildren. “Papa John” adored his four grandchildren and had as much fun and energy as they did playing, inventing and imagining in their early years and cheering them on in sports, academics and life in more recent ones.

John had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. He often could be found researching topics of interest or reading books. He enjoyed watching the Buffalo Bills and was an avid Notre Dame football fan. He enjoyed doing puzzles, making and eating bread, weekly card games with friends, and periodic adventures with his niece, Barbara Weyand-Kulp.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 23 years, Gloria; his stepchildren, Marie (John) Dowd and John (Jennifer) May; his grandchildren, Emma Dowd, Jack Dowd, Lauren May and Kristen May; and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins that will deeply miss his warmth, humor and wisdom.

John’s spirit of curiosity, acceptance and love was ever apparent and contagious. A typical observation of John’s character came from a hospice worker when they noted that John never let a person leave his presence without making them feel validated, appreciated and better than they did prior to their time together.

A Funeral Mass was celebrated on Oct. 17 at St. Clement’s Church followed by burial with military honors at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville.