John Chester Gardoski, retired teacher, coach
John Chester Gardoski, 81, of Milton, passed away at Harrison Senior Living in Georgetown Friday, June 23, 2023. He was born Nov. 7, 1941, in Easton, Pa., to Chester Henry and Helen Dorothy (Engates) Gardoski.
John graduated from Notre Dame High School in Easton, Pa., in 1960. He was a skilled football player and athlete during his high school years. In 1957 he ran a 99-yard touchdown for the school’s first victory in a football game. In 2016 he returned to the school with his children and grandchildren to hand out a trophy dedicated in his name. After graduating from high school, John continued his studies at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, obtaining his bachelor’s degree in art education in 1964. It was during college that John met and married the love of his life, Ruth Ann (Erwin) Gardoski, and the two would spend 59 beautiful years of married life together with countless happy memories.
John’s unique combination of an art education degree and football skills landed him a job teaching and coaching at Lewes High School starting in the fall of 1964. Mr. G went on to have a 39-year career as a Lewes High School/Cape Henlopen High School art teacher, yearbook advisor, football coach, and mentor to generations of local students. Mr. G loved his kids at school and helped them achieve success in the classroom and beyond.
As hard as it is to believe, in the summer of 1964, no one wanted to live in Lewes. However, that didn’t scare John and Ruth off. After getting married that June, John and Ruth bought a house on Market Street in Lewes in anticipation of his new job. During the summers, John frequented the waters of Delaware Bay with his dog in a small boat from which he caught lobster and clams that he sold to local restaurants. He also worked as a seasonal park ranger at the Indian River Inlet. In 1968, they had their first son, John. In 1970, they moved outside of Milton, where they owned horses, chickens, cows, goats and other farm animals. In 1979, they had their second son, Lee.
John was an accomplished artist, and his creativity was reflected through drawing, painting, ceramics, decoy carving and fine jewelry making. His interest in architecture led to the restoration of six historical houses in Lewes and Milton. Throughout the years he donated paintings and hand-carved decoys to Ducks Unlimited. In the 1970s, John helped design the original Delaware State Police Trooper Dan vehicle and fabricated the Trooper Dan hat badge from aluminum.
John had a lifelong interest in cars, starting with his first car, a 1948 Plymouth. During his early years in Delaware, he restored several Model As and was a member of the Model A Club. His creativity shined with projects such as converting a milk truck step van into a small camper, building a hydroplane, and custom lettering and pinstriping on vehicles. He restored two classic MOPARs, a 1966 Dodge Coronet 500 HEMI and a 1970 Plymouth Superbird, and enjoyed entering them in local car shows. In 2017, his HEMI car was selected to be a part of the MOPAR or No Car special exhibit at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum in Philadelphia.
Above all, John treasured time spent with family, especially his grandkids who were the apples of his eye. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend. His time with us will live on forever in the hearts and memories of his family and friends.
John was preceded in death by his brother, David Gardoski (wife Marianne). He is survived by his beloved wife, Ruth Gardoski of Milton; his son, John Gardoski (wife Heather) of Milton; his son, Lee Gardoski (wife Roberta Surra) of Milton; his grandchildren, Austin, Zachary, Lauren, Dorothy, Jeanette, Clayton, and Robert; and his sister Gloria Gardoski.
A visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, July 5, at Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 16961 Kings Hwy., Lewes. A funeral service will take place at noon, Thursday, July 6, at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 2440 Conestoga Road, Chester Springs, Pa., where friends may visit beginning at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
Visit Mr. Gardoski's Life Memorial webpage and sign his virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
