Born to Norman Eugene Gish (Canton, OH) and Ellen Arlene Bachman (Orville, OH) on March 19, 1956, at Wadsworth Municipal Hospital in Ohio, John spent his earliest years offering a helping hand on his Grandfather Bachman’s dairy farm in Sterling, OH.
At five years old, John’s biological father succumbed to his own battle with cancer, and Mrs. Ellen would go on to marry Clarence W. May, an engineer from Canton, OH, in 1963.
The family then moved to South Bend, Indiana in 1964 where John spent his elementary and middle school years playing basketball and running track.
Residing several miles from the campus of The University of Notre Dame, John remembered spending gameday mornings in the 60’s on campus bartering for tickets and sideline credentials with friends so that they could watch the Irish battle opponents on the gridiron.
After relocating in 1971 to Pittsburgh, PA, John would attend Upper St. Clair High School and begin establishing his “Yinzer” attitude and unwavering love for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
John played soccer at St. Clair and spent his time during high school attending rock concerts and making lifelong friends. His favorite live acts were The Rolling Stones and Black Sabbath. He was proud to share that he attended 14 live performances by the Stones.
He attended college at Akron University in Akron, OH, with a year spent at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL.
Earning a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting at Akron, he began his career in Thomaston, GA as a Cost Accountant with Thomaston Mills where he was quickly promoted to Finance Manager.
After Thomaston Mills closed its doors like many outfits in the textile industry during the early 2000’s, he would continue his career in industry accounting, eventually escalating himself to carry the role of Division Controller for publicly traded, Emerson Network Power, a global leader in embedded telecommunications and data network infrastructure.
Marrying the love of his life, Katherine Louise Lynch Gish (Thomaston, GA) in 1980, John went on to bring two sons into our world, Jason and Josh.
An hour south of Atlanta, John’s most fond memories in Thomaston were made with close friends camping out on the Flint River, attending Rolling Stones concerts, UGA football games in Athens, NASCAR races, Braves games, vacationing with family on the Gulf of Mexico, yard work, and spending time with his Siberian Husky, Maverick.
He most enjoyed visiting Winkler Farms in Sterling, OH to revisit childhood and catch up with his most cherished family members still residing in Ohio.
John was a devout Christian and took steps to make sure that his family fostered the same values he stood by to help them navigate their own lives.
He had a thirst for life and lifting up his family unseen by many, and his fight with cancer should serve as an inspiration to everyone managing their own hardships.
John is survived by his wife and two sons, Kathy Gish [GA], Josh Gish (Mary Elizabeth Huff) [GA], and Jason Gish [VA].
Sisters: Pam Gish Kellogg (Jim Kellogg) [NC], Pattie Helfrick (Scott Helfrick) [PA]
Brother: Scott May (Sherry May) [GA]
Nieces / Nephews: Heather Kellogg [NC], Alex Kellogg [VA], Nate Helfrick [PA], Jayne Helfrick (Patrick Lamborn) [PA], Adam May [GA], Emily May [GA].
It was John's wish to be cremated and no services are planned
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