John Stukbauer

Palm Harbor FL – John “Jack” Stukbauer, 89, passed away peacefully on May 17, 2024. He was born on April 25, 1935, in Cleveland, Ohio to John L Stukbauer and Anna Koryta Stukbauer, both deceased. He was also preceded in death by his only sister, Dorothy Stukbauer Beach and her husband Robert Beach.

John was married to Mary Kathryn Gordon for 35 years until her passing in 1991. They had 5 children, John (Laura), Jackie (Sam), Jim (Traci), Jeff (Viola), and Jill (Michael), 9 grandchildren, Justin, Jennifer, Jessica, Jordan, Kate, Kelly, Jason, Julian, and Kamryn, 7 great grandchildren, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Mary Helen, which added bonus/step children Alan, Bryan, and Kara as well as bonus grandchildren and great grandchildren.

During John’s early married years he owned and operated a Texaco station and was a member of the volunteer rescue squad… and even delivered a baby or 2. He drove a car hauler for awhile and also a school bus for a short time.

He eventually became one of the first police officers in Brunswick Ohio and went on to make a 32 year career as a Brunswick Police Officer, Police Detective, and Assistant Brunswick City Safety Director. He also sat on the Salvation Army Board and ran the Juvenile Diversion Team for first-time offenders. He trained incoming police cadets at the county vocational school, worked undercover with Med-Way Drug Task Force, and was the city liaison overseeing the Senior Citizens Safety Program and the county DARE Program which placed Resource Officers in all the schools.

He played recreational baseball, was a Cleveland Indians fan, loved watching NASCAR races, loved gardening, mowing the lawn, collecting antiques (particularly toys), and loved to drive, he would get us all in the car (especially after a storm) and just drive around to nowhere.

He loved ice cream (chocolate chip or butter pecan), later on his favorites were Doritos and Pepsi or A&W root beer.

He was always sarcastic and made goofy faces. It was hard to get a picture of him without a goofy face or silly smile. He told it like it was and ran a tight ship; always in charge.
We will all miss that unique sarcasm, goofiness and yes grumpiness too! He definitely made an impression on many and hopefully that’s where his legacy carries on. You were loved and will be missed Dad.

May he rest in peace.

A small private memorial service was held in June.