John Vaskie

Ancestors

Problems/Questions Profile managers: John Vaskie [send private message], Dennis Nash [send private message], and I Nash [send private message]

Biography

John Vaskie Won Team Bronze in the Sourcing Slalom in the 2023 WikiGames.

John Vaskie competed with the Collaborative Conifers in the 2023 WikiGames.

Birth and Early Life

John was born at St Joseph's Hospital, in Murphysboro, Jackson, Illinois, to Michael Vaskie and Marcia Kunde. John's sister, Julie, was also born in Murphysboro. In 1969 the family moved north to LaSalle, LaSalle, Illinois for a short time, then to a farmhouse in McNabb, Putnam, Illinois. His youngest sister, Jeannie, was born shortly after they moved to McNabb. He attended John Swaney School from K-8th, graduating in 1979. The farm was a great place for John to grow up. There was a creek that ran through the property where he could fish, hunt and camp. Old barns were great for exploring. He had his own horse, Chubby, and would ride all over the property. In the fall when the farmers were plowing and disking, John enjoyed walking the fields in search of arrowheads and other native artifacts. He also enjoyed going fishing and hunting with his grandfather, Michael Vaskie Sr. Around 1977, they moved 5 miles south to Magnolia, Putnam, Illinois, and would live there until 1981. He attended Putnam County High School in Granville, Putnam, Illinois, through his sophomore year. In August of 1981, the family moved to Piedmont, Canadian, Oklahoma, where John graduated from Piedmont High School in 1983.

Sports

John began playing baseball at 4 years of age and continued to play through high school. In spring of 1983, he was named to The Daily Oklahoman Little All City baseball team as a third baseman. He led the team with a .426 batting average, and was in the top 10 in the Metro in batting average, RBI, home runs, and slugging %. After high school, he played slow pitch softball for many years.

While going to Piedmont HS, John was afforded the opportunity to play football, a sport not offered at Putnam County HS. His aggressive style of play earned him the nickname "Animal". His hard work learning a new sport paid off when he was named Most Improved Lineman in his senior year.

Golf, indoor soccer, volleyball, flag football, power lifting, and body building were other interests throughout the years. He also began walking, participating in 5K, 10K, and half marathon road races.

He was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, and the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

Family

John got married in 1986, and to this union were born two daughters, Taylor and Kristin. The marriage ended when the girls were in grade school, but John was very active in his children's lives, coaching their softball teams, going fishing with them, and just hanging out and doing Dad stuff. In 2004, John met the love of his life, Brook, and they made a home together in Piedmont. The girls were a big part of making the house a home. On 15 Dec 2022, Taylor gave birth to John's first grandbaby, Harper Sue.

Careers

After high school, John worked general labor jobs, such as shipping/receiving clerk, inventory control, and aftermarket parts sales for a utility equipment company. In 1985, he joined the Piedmont Fire Department, starting a long history as a first responder. In 1990, the department sent John to EMT-Basic school at Oklahoma State University-OKC, after which he passed the registry tests to be come certified/licensed as an EMT-B. In 1997, he graduated, Magna Cum Laude, from Redlands Community College with an AAS in Emergency Medical Technology (Paramedic). He worked as a paramedic for PFD, Mercy EMS, Baptist Medical Center ED, and the Oklahoma Heart Hospital. John retired from his life in public service in 2009. In 2012, John was elected to the Piedmont Fire Department Hall of Fame.

Hobbies

Through the years, John became more and more proficient at cooking. He was known for his BBQ, Cajun, Hungarian, Italian, and Mexican food. He had two offset stick burners to cook BBQ in, and often chastised, in jest, people who used pellet cookers, (or Easy Bake Ovens, as he liked to call them). He loved to drink beer, so it was to no one's surprise when he started brewing his own beer. Since Brook and the girls liked to drink wine, obviously, the next step he took was learning to make wine. After wine, he moved on to hard cider, prompting his friends and family to ask, "what's brewing?" whenever they'd come to visit. John also liked to repurpose old furniture, and make stuff out of wood. Whatever Brook or the girls wanted built, he would build it.

Digital Afterlife

In the event of me being incapacitated, or my death, I would like my daughters to take over my profiles. If they aren't interested, I would like WikiTree to orphan all of my profiles so they can become wards to the best genealogists in the world. When you speak of me, speak well.

John was a Firefighter for Piedmont Fire and Rescue in OK.

John was a Paramedic for Mercy EMS and Piedmont Fire and Rescue in OK.

John Vaskie has Hungarian Roots.

John Vaskie has German Roots.

John Vaskie was born in Illinois.

John Vaskie is an Oklahoman.

WikiTree Day Attendee: 2022

John Vaskie competed in the 2023 WikiGames.

Sources