John D. Homa

John D. Homa, 82, formerly of East Syracuse, passed away March 4, 2023, at St. Joseph’s Health Hospital.  He was born in Syracuse and was a member of St. Matthew’s Roman Catholic Church, East Syracuse, NY. John enjoyed eating sweets and attending Protestant Mass at Elderwood Nursing Home (they have better songs). John was well known for attending all the activities and events at Elderwood. Prior to his diagnosis with dementia, he loved taking his wife to musicals in Toronto or NYC, and multiple cruises and trips to Hawaii. He didn’t care for the large number of elderly people on cruises, as they eat all of the ice cream. 

He married the love of his life, Jane, at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on October 5, 1963. They were married for 57 years. John had a strong work ethic, often holding down several jobs to support his family and make sure his children all had a Catholic education and college degrees (John had his Associates Degree from Syracuse University) and didn’t retire until he was 71. He started out as a caddy at Burnet Park Golf Course, worked for many years at Carrier UTC, then on to Agway, and finished out his career at Empire Visionworks, where he proudly helped start the union and became a union steward.  After retirement, he quit smoking, went to the gym regularly and he and his wife would go to the local Senior Center for lunch and cards 2 times a week(Jane gambled, John ate cookies and watched.)

 He is predeceased by his wife Jane (2021) and his beloved son Patrick (2018), his parents, John and Laura (Grzymala) Homa, and his sister and brother-in-law, Drs. Doris and Dave Thomas. John is survived by his children, Robert Homa of Brooklyn, James (Amy) Homa of Manlius and Maribeth Homa (David Ramsey) of North Syracuse, his grandchildren, Katie Homa (Chris Whelan), Kelly Homa and Makenna Ramsey. He is also survived by his siblings, MaryAnn LePage (Charlie) of Florida and James Homa of California and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great-nephews.

 Funeral services are Monday, March 13th at 10:30am in Mathewson-Forani Funeral Home, Inc, 206 Kinne Street, East Syracuse, NY, and 11am in St. Matthew's Church, East Syracuse. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Dewitt. Calling hours are from 9-10:30am at the funeral home prior to the service. 

Please send any donations in John’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association (https://www.alz.org/centralnewyork) or the American Heart Association (https://ww.heart.org).

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