John William Yosay Jr.

BOARDMAN - John W. Yosay Jr., passed away on Sunday, August 30, at the age of 76, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on August 9, 1950, in Youngstown, Ohio, to John and Dorothy Campbell Yosay, he was a 1968 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. John graduated from Kent State University in 1972 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Zoology and was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. He continued his education as a graduate student in Immunology at Kent State and completed post‑graduate work in Animal Science at The Ohio State University. It was at Kent State where he met his wife of 49 years, Linda Martin, whom he married on July 16, 1977.

John began his career with Allied Mills as a Specialty Product Manager and then Regional Sales Manager, specifically working with equine and lab animal diets, first in Pennsylvania, then Ontario, Michigan, Indiana, and finally Chicago. In 1980, he began his own business, Mother Earth Feed and Seed, specializing in wholesale and retail sales of pet food and animal feeds, which grew to three locations in the greater Youngstown area.

He was a member of the Youngstown Area Soccer Referees Association and the Youngstown Metro Umpire Association, as well as an OHSAA‑licensed official in soccer and an OHSAA softball and baseball umpire. John served as Vice President for Competitive Soccer for the Boardman Soccer Association and the Youngstown Area Youth Soccer League, and he coached YMCA basketball and Boardman Little League baseball. He officiated many high school soccer matches throughout the area but especially enjoyed umpiring youth baseball and refereeing youth soccer.

As a six‑year boys’ soccer coach at Boardman High School, his teams were very successful and were regional finalists in 1998. John’s greatest enjoyment “on the pitch” was watching his three children play the game he came to love, which had been introduced to him by his late father‑in‑law.

He was a loving and devoted grandfather of five who was especially proud of each of them, delighted in watching them grow, and held each one in a special place in his heart.

John loved to play golf and enjoyed several trips to the Masters with his three children, along with a trip to the Open Championship at St. Andrews. On his honeymoon, he was fortunate to play a round on the Old Course at St. Andrews, where he shot a very respectable score, including a closing 38 on the back nine. Family vacations—especially to Rehoboth Beach, Virginia Beach, and Naples—will always hold beautiful memories for the whole family.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving grandmother, Mary Sich Yosay; his aunt and uncle, George and Dorothy Stavich, all of whom helped raise him when his mother passed away at a young age; his beloved cousin, Sandra Coyne; and his in‑laws, Jack and Mamie Martin.

John is survived by his loving wife, Linda, and his three children: Erin Yosay (Kristina) of Boardman; Dr. John Yosay (Nora) of Midlothian, Virginia; and Ryan Yosay (Ashley) of Glenview, Illinois as well as his five grandchildren, who brought great joy and happiness to his life: Gavin, Kellan, Emma, Wells, and Jack; and his brother, Robert (Janet) Yosay of Canfield.

A Celebration of John’s life will begin with calling hours on Thursday, September 3rd from 5 to 7 PM, and on Friday September 4th from 10 to 11 AM at Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Poland Chapel. A service will follow at 11 AM.

He will be laid to rest at Lake Park Cemetery.