John (Jack) Hersch

John (Jack) Hersch, 84, of Homestead Drive, died Thursday August 19, 2010, at his residence surrounded by his loving family.

He was born September 21, 1925 in Erie, a son of the late Roy A. and Mildred Flanigan Hersch. He was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Jane Faulkner.

He was a graduate of Strong Vincent High School, the United States Merchant Marine Academy and Gannon University.

Jack served aboard ship in the U.S. Merchant Marine as a Midshipmen and Marine Engineer in WWII with service in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters and as a Naval Officer in the Korean War. Following the Korean War he served sixteen years in the active U.S. Naval Reserves, retiring with the rank of Captain.

Upon graduation from Gannon, he taught in the Erie School District. Leaving teaching he was employed in a managerial capacity at Faulkner Metal Fab. Inc. and Viking Plastics.

He was one of the founders and past Presidents of the McDowell Band Aids; served three years as President of the Erie Construction council and as President of the Erie Chapter of Military Officers Association of America and was a member of the Advisory Council for the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home and past member on the board of St. Mary's Home of Erie. He was a life member of the Erie Maennerchor Club and a member of the American Legion, Post 0945.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Audrey Dudenhoeffer Hersch; four sons: Robert J. and his wife Patrica Riley Hersch of Erie; Mark C. and his wife Jean Bettys Hersch of Dallas Center, IA; Matthew J. and his wife Kathleen Fessler Hersch of Erie; Kurt E. and his wife Julie Rahner Hersch of Erie. Ten grandchildren: Mary, Maggie, John, Katie, Rob, Kerry, Audrey, Charlie, Susanna and Mina.

Friends may call at the Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home, Inc. 5000 Wattsburg Road on Sunday, 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. and are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, on Monday at 10:00 a.m. Burial with military honors will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to VNA Hospice, 2253 West Grandview Blvd., Erie PA, 16506 or the John Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation, 1001 State St., Suite 1400, Erie, 16506.

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