Sgt. John J. Bressan, U.S. Army

John J. Bressan, 98, of Homosassa, FL, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022 at his home with his daughter, son and daughter-in-law at his side. Dad’s new journey had begun to be with his Lord, Jesus Christ and be reunited with the love of his life, Jean and his family members. John was born Jan. 28, 1923 in Split, Yugoslavia, one of four children to Charles and Mary (Brailo) Bressan, and immigrated to America as an infant in 1923 aboard the U.S.S. Woodrow Wilson.

From 1936 to 1940 John attended Sewanhaka High School, Floral Park where he lettered in wrestling and lacrosse. Our Dad served his country honorably and proudly during WWII in the United States Army 169th Ordnance Field Depot Company from 1943 to 1946, mustering out as Sergeant. His working life was full and varied. Early in life, as a teenager, he worked as a movie theater usher and a butcher shop deliveryman and cleanup person in order to help out his family due to his father’s untimely death in 1930. Before and after the war he worked for Deering-Milliken Textiles in New York City’s Garment District in various positions, always advancing up the ladder. An opportunity of a lifetime brought John to Sidney Blumenthal Textiles, a division of Burlington Textiles where he was given credit for naming the first fake fur products which were new to the American consumer. A new door opened where Dad became sales executive for Irwin Mills, another division of Burlington Textiles where he was in charge of naming the first permanent press sheets “The never ever iron sheets” a first in the American Textile industry. In 1958 John moved his family to Levittown, PA commuting to New York City for the next eleven years.

Then he, along with his beloved wife of nearly 54 years Jean T. Bressan, who passed away on March 22, 2002, moved to Charlottesville, VA due to the University of Virginia, the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains and its rich history. With another entrepreneurial idea ahead of its time, John and Jean established The Donut Man, Inc.,a coffee and donut shop which flourished for 8 years. Another challenge awaited him as he and his wife assisted his son in running Bob Bressan Catering Service, Charlottesville, VA until 1990. Their last journey would take them to Sugar Mill Woods, Homosassa, FL in the fall of 1990 to begin their new life, meeting new friends.

John was a 75 year Life Member of the American Legion and a lifelong University of Virginia football and basketball fan. He was an avid reader and he loved gardening. Dad was also an accomplished writer of various articles and short stories, some of which were published. In addition to his parents and his beloved wife Jean, he was preceded in death by his three siblings: Ann Phipany, Louis Bressan and Christopher Bressan and a grandson, John Claude Leonard Stacey. John is survived by his three children: Robert John Bressan and his wife Phyllis of Waynesboro, VA; John Charles Bressan and his wife Diane of Homosassa, FL and Janis Marie Bressan-Stacey, also of Homosassa, FL; grandchildren Matthew Bressan, Mark Bressan, Kathleen King, John Franklin Bressan, Bethany Waylett, Joanna Miller, Luke Bressan, Colin Bressan, Victoria Gradia and Christopher Reimann and great grandchildren Andrew James “AJ”, Virginia “Ashby”, Cheyene, Isaac, Wyatt, Jack, Sonny, Clara, Caroline, Caitlyn, Michael “Beckam”, Autumn Skye, Azalea Leigh, Dylan, John- Russell, Kylie Harper, Dylan “Parker” as well as a special niece Elaine Schwarzkopf and children Laura and Rob. John’s family would like to thank all of the friends and neighbors who assisted them during recent times, including Patti Welsh, Ginni and Pete Kanis, Sally Murray, Rebeca, Chris Sr., Chris Jr. and Julia Brodmerkel, and Sheldon, Klaara, J.J., Nancy, Rocco, Jami, Becky Dibble and Becky Jones. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Friday, January 28, 2022 at Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Homosassa, FL with Msgr. Joseph Sobiesiak, Celebrant. Full Military Honors will follow at 12:30 P.M. at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL. In lieu of flowers, John’s family requests acts of kindness to be extended to the staff at Oak Hill Hospital, Second Floor South Tower and by memorial contributions to HPH Hospice, 12107 Majestic Blvd., Hudson, FL 34667 or online at www.chaptershealthfoundation.org Wilder Funeral Home, Homosassa, FL. www.wilderfuneral.com