John Andrew Gonce

On Saturday, May 12, 2018, John Andrew Gonce, a former Baltimore Sun Printer, passed away at his home in Perry Hall, Maryland, from complications caused by Dementia. He was the devoted and adoring husband, of 51 years, of Patricia Anne Gonce (nee Healy). John was predeceased by his infant daughter Michelle Lynn Gonce. He was the son of the late Andrew Gonce and Mildred Gonce (nee Berger). Surviving John are his sister Mary M. Haas of Palm Desert, California, and his brother Carl J. Gonce of Nottingham, Maryland. He is survived by many loving nieces and nephews, as well as great friends.

John was an altar boy and student at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Baltimore, Maryland. He grew up in the Gardenville area of Baltimore City and later moved to Perry Hall, where he lived for the past 45 years. John retired from the Baltimore Sun in March 1999 after working for 38 years in the Composing Room. Among his peers he was known as “Mr. Steady”, because of his consistent performance and professional demeanor. John prepared for his lifelong profession by graduating from the Technical Printing Program at Mervo High School. While employed at the Baltimore Sun, John played baseball in the Printer’s League for many years.

John was a frequent traveler, as a child he traveled by train from Baltimore to Seattle Washington. He later traveled to various cities in Canada. In company with his wife, Mr. Gonce visited Bermuda, Hawaii, and Orlando, as well as numerous golf courses in Myrtle Beach. For the past 50 years he was an avid golfer and happily accomplished a hole in one on the 6th hole of the Forest Park Golf Course on May 21, 2000. He immediately “retired” that golf ball and placed it in an honored spot in his residence, where it remains today. He greatly enjoyed attending three Masters Tournaments in Augusta, Georgia with his wife.

Among his hobbies was bowling. He belonged to numerous leagues, at several bowling lanes, in the Baltimore area. Many nights were spent playing “pot games” at the lanes before reporting for the early shift at the Sunpapers. John also raised, trained, and raced as many as 60 pigeons on his property. He was a 30 year member of the Hamilton Pigeon Club, where he served as the Race Secretary for several years.

Relatives and friends are invited to gather at Schimunek Funeral Home, Inc. 9705 Belair Rd., Nottingham, MD 21236, on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 from 3-5 and 7-9pm. A funeral service will be held on Thursday at 10am at the funeral home. Interment services will follow in the St. Joseph Catholic Church Cemetery (Fullerton, MD). Online tributes may be left for the family at

www.schimunekfuneralhomes.com

GONCE, John Andrew

On May 12, 2018 in Perry Hall, Maryland. Member of Columbia Typographical Union No. 101-12 (Retired Baltimore Sun).

Remains resting at the Schimunek Funeral Home, Nottingham, Md. Viewing on Wednesday May 16th 3-5 & 7-9.

Service on Thursday 10am at the funeral home. Interment service to follow at St. Joseph Catholic Church Cemetery, Fullerton, Maryland.

Gilbert V. Berlinicke, Jr.

President