John E. Laurila, 59 of Center Rd., Saybrook Township died Saturday (August 20th) at South Pointe Hospital in Warrensville Hts. Ohio. He was born March 21, 1957 in Ashtabula the son of William J. and Yvonne B. (Kitchin) Laurila.

He graduated from Harbor High School in 1976 where he played football and ran cross country. John was employed with Kiraly’s Orchard and the Swallows in his teen years. He worked for Ashtabula for 41 years.

He was a Boy Scout where he became an Eagle Scout; a member of the 4-H showing pigs and steers when he was young. He is a member of the American Bee Keepers Association; Rising Sun Lodge #22 F & AM; the Ohio Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association. He was an active member of the Saybrook United Methodist Church; where he was a Layservant Ministry, served on the finance committee at the church, was a delegate to the East Ohio Annual Conference, taught Sunday School, did Bible studies at the church and at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. He was Lay Speaker of the Year in the Western Reserve District for 2016.  John was an avid gardener and agricultural “experimentalist”.  Known for his botanical experiments in fruits and dahlias and was well known for a least 25 kinds of potatoes in his garden. He showed vegetables, flowers and decorated tables for the Ashtabula County Fair.

With his family he enjoyed camping, picnics and musical events as, Ashtabula Brass, The Blue’s Project, Edgewood Band Concerts, opera, musicals and the Drum Corp World Championships in Indianapolis.

John never met a stranger. He shared his faith and humor everywhere. He was not defined by pancreatic cancer. He used it to tell others about having faith by wearing crazy hats to get his chemo treatments. He kept others laughing and lifted their spirts as he shared his faith in God. Doctors, nurses and patients benefited from his upbeat personality and courage. One little boy wore his bear costume to treatment because of the man in the hat talked to him. The man in the hat (John) gave him the strength to endure his treatments. There are many stories from the thousands he touched as he wore his crazy hats while enduring pain and cancer treatment. John was a trail case for cancer at Ohio State University at the James Cancer Center in Columbus. If he couldn’t get well he hoped to be a part of someone else’s cure. He was an avid reader and his house as filled with books.

Surviving him are his wife Martha (Chapman) Laurila whom he married July 7, 1984; a daughter, Jonamarie Laurila; his father William Laurila ; two brothers, Tim (Lisa) Laurila and Terry (Michael Wheeler) Laurila, a sister-in-law, Joyce Smith and Brother-in-laws, Bruce (Lou Ann) Chapman, and Ken (Carolyn) Chapman and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother and by a brother, William John Laurila, Jr.

Funeral service will be Saturday (Aug.  27th) at 11:30 at the Saybrook United Methodist Church, 7900 S. Depot Rd. Saybrook Twp. with Rev. Jeff Stoll officiating. If attending the funeral service please feel free to wear a crazy hat.

Calling hours will be Friday from 5 to 8 PM at the Ashtabula Home of Fleming & Billman Funeral Directors and Crematory, 526 W. Prospect Rd. Ashtabula and from 10:30AM to the time of service on Saturday at the church.

In lieu of flowers a scholarship fund is established  at the Andover Bank in Austinburg or gifts may be given to the endowment fund of Saybrook United Methodist Church. Condolences, light a candle at www.fleming-billman.com

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