John A. Spolski Jr.

SPOLSKI, JOHN ANDREW, JR., 85, Lake Mary, Florida died Sunday, August 16, 2015 with Janell, John and Kevin at his side. John was born in Reading, Pennsylvania on December 4, 1929 and graduated from Reading High School in 1947. He married his beloved wife, Laura Jane Reiter on January 20, 1950 and celebrated 57 years of marriage until Jane's courageous battle with cancer took her life on January 28, 2008. John and Jane resided in Reading and Harrisburg Pennsylvania until they moved to Sanford, Florida in 1959. John led a very diverse and colorful life. After serving in the Air Force, John and Jane moved to New York City where John worked in radio and television interviewing such personalities as Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Gene Autry. He continued his passion for radio announcing in Reading before joining Westinghouse in Harrisburg as Vice President of Sales. In December 1959 John and Jane moved to Sanford to open the bowling lanes known as "Jet Lanes" on Airport Boulevard where to this day, John holds several records for his bowling accomplishments. While running the bowling lanes, John wrote numerous articles for the Sanford Herald and was eventually asked by the Herald's owners to become the Sports Editor for the newspaper. His tenure as Sports Editor eventually led to him being named Associate Editor of the Sanford Herald where his extraordinary life experiences included flying with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels squadron. In 1976 John accepted a position with Seminole County as the first Director of the Emergency 911 System for the county. Upon successfully establishing the E-911 system, Sheriff John Polk tapped John as head of the Seminole County Sheriff's Department Communication Center and chief negotiator for the SWAT Team. After thirteen successful hostage negotiations, John retired from the Sheriff's Department to manage six self-storage facilities owned by Spolski Construction. For the past seven years following Jane's passing, he volunteered his time manning the reception desk at Spolski Construction where his smile, willingness to talk with anyone and offer of Starburst candies will be truly missed. John is survived by his children Janell Ann (Rob) Hester, John Kevin Spolski and Kevin John Spolski; grandson Jason (Kylee) McDaniel and great grandchildren Landen and Kenleigh McDaniel. A private graveside family funeral will be held at All Souls Catholic Cemetery. A Celebration of Life open to all of John's friends will be held on Saturday, August 22,2015 from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. at Kevin Spolski's home located at 3850 Sipes Avenue; Sanford. Arrangements are being handled by DeGusipe Funeral Home, 905 S. Laurel Avenue, Sanford, FL 32771, (407) 322-5131.

John A. Spolski Jr.

December 4, 1929 - August 16, 2015