John Julius Ganzy

John Julius Ganzy, 93, was called home by our Lord and Savior early Saturday morning, December 10th, 2016. John is survived by children Gregory Ganzy and Jo Anne Baker, and grandchldren Scott Ganzy, Kaitlin, Erin, and Alexander Baker. His loving wife of almost 70 years, Doris, preceded him in death this past May. John was born on July 19th, 1923 to Stephen and Theresa Ganzy in Buffalo, NY; his siblings Matilda (“Tillie” Radice), Elizabeth (“Bette” Fischer), and Steven (“Pete”) have been with their Lord for many years prior.

As part of the “Greatest Generation”, “Johnny” knew tough and interesting times. Entertainment was roller-skating and caddying at the local golf course. After graduating vocational high school, John answered his country’s call to duty by enlisting in the Army in November, 1942. He trained as a radio operator at Ft. Knox. As part of the 751st Tank Battalion and Co. E 175th Engineers, John served as a radio operator in a tank in North Africa and was part of the campaigns in Southern Italy. With the occupation of Rome, he ran a communications room and was promoted to Technical Sergeant. He was honorably discharged from service September, 1945.

When John returned home, he had a chance meeting with Doris, whom he had met at the roller-rink as a teenager. After a whirlwind romance, they were married on July 27th, 1946. John worked as a plaster and received his journeyman’s certificate in 1949. Making good money in the 60s in construction, John was able to afford a new house in the suburbs and a few acres of property in the countryside outside of Buffalo. John’s favorite times relaxing were while driving his tractor to cut the grass in the summer or plow the driveway in the winter at his country-place.

After the Blizzard of ’77, he followed a nephew-in-law to Phoenix to check out the construction here. Within a week, he called home to Doris to tell her to start packing, they were moving to Phoenix. John did stucco and dry wall and has worked on some iconic structures such as the castle at Metrocenter and housing at Sun Lakes.

However, John was already in his 60s and he was thinking about new opportunities for when he retired from plastering. He bought Perma Clean, which he renamed John’s Perma Clean at McClintock and Southern in Tempe. John enjoyed his new business and loved talking with his customers.

John retired for real in his late 70s when he sold his business and bought a condo in Sunland Village East and joined their Golf Club. He and Doris resumed the league bowling which they enjoyed when they were younger; when not bowling John loved golfing and helping Doris babysit the grandkids. John will be greatly missed by his family and friends; his humor and wit will be remembered fondly.

A visitation with family and friends will be, Wednesday, December 21st from 5 to 8 pm at the Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park Cemetery Chapel, 6747 E. Broadway Road, Mesa, AZ 85206. A funeral service will be conducted the following morning, 11 a.m. at the Eternal Life Lutheran Church, 7025 E Main Street, Mesa, AZ. In lieu of flowers the family suggested contributions be made to the Eternal Life Church or Hospice of the Valley , East Valley. Please visit the mariposagardens.com website to view memories and leave condolences.

Arrangements under the direction of Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park and Funeral Care, Mesa, AZ.

Arrangements under the direction of Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park and Funeral Care, Mesa, AZ.