John P. Koss May 31, 1924 - March 31, 2024
Weston, Florida - Passing to the Heavens on March 31, 2024 was John Peter Koss. He was 99 years old, born in Akron, Ohio May 31, 1924, he is PREDECEASED by sisters Mary (Peirce), Katherine, Anne (Frankland), Olga (Cline), and brother Joseph. He is also predeceased by Mother Palahia (Kohut) and Father Peter (Kos) both of whom were born in Austria of Ukrainian descent, immigrated to the United States in 1903 and became naturalized citizens in 1906.
John is SURVIVED by Sons Gregory Alan, Willoughby, OH, and Jeffrey Brian (Linda), Austin, TX, Granddaughters Jennifer (Christopher Zoog) New Canaan, CT, and Allyson, Austin, TX, and Grandson Jonathan (Kelle), Pepper Pike, OH. Great- grandchildren Sophia and Jack (Zoog) New Canaan, CT and Emma, Claire, Audrey and Stella (Koss) Pepper Pike, OH
John is also SURVIVED by loving companion Rita (Toni) Philipson, of 48 years, her daughters, Susan (Howard Bloom) and Jill (Charles Bennett), grandchildren Mimi (Matthew DuBeck), Drew and Kevin (Katy) Bennett. Great grandchildren Aidan and Ariella (DuBeck) and Elijah (Bennett). Nephews Ronald Frankland (Chong Cha), Dr. Stephen Peirce (Sharon), Robert Frankland, Great nephews Davie Frankland, Tom Frankland, Tim Frankland, Morgan Frankland, great nieces Cassandra Peirce Norwood, Dr. Lauren Peirce Carcas (Miguel), Lindsay Peirce Sato (Joshua) and Lissa Frankland. Great grand nephews Dylan Norwood,
Hayden Norwood, Matthew Carcas, and Jacob Carcas. He is preceded in death by grandson Adam Bloom and nephew David Frankland.
He was raised in Akron, attended Robinson and Seiberling grade schools, graduated from Seiberling, matriculated to old East High School on Martha Avenue and graduated in January 1942. He was active in sports, operettas and National Honor Society. WWII started right before graduation, he wanted to enlist, but parents opted for draft in early 1943. While waiting, he attended Akron University and worked at Goodyear on a specialized training program until he was drafted into the Army Air Force.
John was inducted at Fort Hayes in Columbus, OH, did basic training in Miami Beach, trained as a Cryptographic Technician at Chanute Field, Illinois and Smyrna Air Force Base in Tennessee and spent over two years overseas in the Army Airways Communications System branch of the 7th Air Force Pacific Theatre of Operations on task, invasion and reoccupation forces and honorably discharged as a Technical Sergeant in February 1946. He was a candidate for West Point, but declined in deference to continued and completed education.
After military discharge in 1946 he worked at Goodyear-Jackson, Michigan Plant and entered The Ohio State University College of Engineering in September 1946. He Joined Theta Tau, a professional engineering fraternity, became House Manager and was active in professional development programs.
John received his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering in 1949 and a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering in 1950 from The Ohio State University. While in graduate school he taught undergraduate courses and in later years was an Assistant Professor at Kent State University and was selected for administering The Ohio State Hospital Association Geriatric Facility Management
Program. And, he also served three years on the Industrial Engineering Alumni Advisory Board focused on curricula advancement. He was awarded a Distinguished Alumni Award by the College of Engineering at The Ohio State University in 1999. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Beverage World Magazine with whom he presented global technical conferences and for whom he wrote a monthly column for 25 years. He continued to write for Beverage Industry Magazine covering a complete range of topics in beverage operations and engineering until his departure.
He was a Licensed Registered Profession Engineer in eight states, became a Life Member of National Society of Professional Engineers, Florida Engineering Society, Institute of Industrial Engineers and the American Legion. He was also a charter member of St Eugene’s Catholic Church and a Regional Administrator for the Cub Scout Division. John was a licensed private pilot with single/multiple engine ratings, instrument and seaplane ratings.
John worked domestically for many companies and abroad in Iran, Switzerland and Greece representing 22 different industries. He was a global traveler and spent most of his time in the beverage industry, retired as Vice President of Operations from General Cinema Beverages, a Fortune 500 Company, involving 18 producing plants and 38 distribution centers.
After “retiring” John provided consulting services, wrote poetry for Class Reunions, continued playing golf, presented technical papers at conferences, continued writing for Beverage Industry Magazine and maintained a contributory attitude throughout. He simply ran out of time, May God Bless.
Visitation at Vista Funeral Home, Miami Lakes, Florida on Wednesday, April 10th, 6-10 PM. Mass will be held at Our Lady of the Lakes, Miami Lakes, Florida on Thursday, April 11th at 10:00 AM.