John J. Ezzo

GIRARD - John J. Ezzo, 96, longtime owner of The Mahoning Country Club, passed away peacefully Wednesday afternoon, June 13, 2018, surrounded by his family and friends.

John was born July 4, 1921, in Girard, a son of the late James and Carmel Cortese Ezzo, and was a lifelong area resident.

He was a graduate of Girard High School, and owned and operated The Mahoning Country Club in Girard for 75 years.

John became interested in golf when he assisted with the $5,000 Mahoning Valley Open Golf Tournament in 1941 and 1942, and his interest became his passion. In 1943, he purchased the Mahoning Golf Course, and he enjoyed introducing newcomers to the game of golf. Mr. Ezzo founded the first ladies’ golf league in the city in 1947, and he also founded the Pee Wee Golf Tournament, a youth tournament for children under the age of 13.

In 1997, John was inducted into the Curbstone Coaches Hall of Fame for “his generosity and ingenuity over the years that allowed many an area golfer to prosper.”

John leaves to cherish his memory, five children, Michael (Lydia) Ezzo of Colliers, W.Va., Dr. Mary (Paul Sundquist) Ezzo of Cottage Grove, Minn., Jeanette Ezzo of Baltimore Md., David Ezzo of Girard, and Susan Ezzo-Cigolle of Liberty Township; 13 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Dr. Joseph Ezzo of St. Petersburg.

His wife, Rose Moliterno Ezzo, whom he married June 10, 1942, passed away Feb. 21, 1996. Besides his wife, a son, James Ezzo; a daughter, Carol Clayton; and a sister, Mary Jo Lagese, preceded John in death.

Family and friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m., Monday, June 18, at Kinnick Funeral Home, 222 S. State St., Girard.

Funeral services will begin at 9:15 a.m. on Tuesday, June 19, at the funeral home, and will continue with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick Church, 1410 Oak Hill Ave., Youngstown.

Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Youngstown.

In lieu of flowers, John’s family would appreciate that memorial contributions be made in John’s name to St. Patrick Church on Oak Hill Avenue.