john plesa
John L. Plesa of Brecksville, OH, formerly of Weirton, WV, died Sunday, February 14, 2021, at his home with his family by his side. He was 64 years old. John was diagnosed, in the past five weeks, with stage four lung cancer. John was born in Steubenville, OH, on May 27, 1956, the youngest of two sons born to the late John and Margaret Luscher Plesa. He grew up in Weirton and graduated from Weir High School in 1974, and received his B.A. in Accounting from the College of Steubenville in 1977. He continued his education at the University of Chicago, where he received his MBA in 1979. John enjoyed a 27- year career as an auditor with Ernst & Young, working in their offices of Pittsburgh, PA, Reston, VA, New York, NY, Los Angeles, CA, and Cleveland, OH. John had a love for auto racing since his early childhood. He enjoyed watching NASCAR and Formula One Grand Prix. He cherished the times he was able to hike, bike, and travel. He and his loving companion Elaine, an accomplished photographer, enjoyed hiking and biking in the Cuyahoga National Forest and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. They also enjoyed traveling to Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Maine. John was a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. John will be remembered with love by his loving companion of 15 years, Elaine Zajac; his brother, Michael A. (Diane) Plesa; his nephews, John A. (Emily) Plesa, Christopher M. (Claudia) Plesa; his niece, Maura (Brad) Murphy; his great-nephew, Michael W. Plesa, and his great-nieces, Natalia and Alina Plesa, and Helena Murphy. A memorial mass will be held 10 AM on Saturday, April 24, 2021 at Saint Paul's Roman Catholic Church, Weirton. Face masks will be required. Interment will follow at Saint Paul's Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Community Bread Basket 3501 West Street, Weirton, WV 26062 or the Oglebay Foundation 255 Mansion Drive, Wheeling, WV 26003. Share tributes and memories at www.grecohertnick.com

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  1. Growing up in Weirton and knowing the Plesa family my entire life, it is with much sadness to lose John. I always enjoyed John stopping in during his visits to Weirton. His stories, and his sense of humor were endless. John had a true talent to make any explanation, description, or recollection, totally hilarious. Then he would leave. This isn’t the end. We’ll see him again. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Plesa family.

  2. We are so sorry to hear about John he has been in our prayers for several weeks. He was blessed not to suffer a long time. We are with you in spirit sending our love and support. Dom and Theresa

  3. In remembrance of the love and the happy times, may you find comfort in this, with deepest & heartfelt sympathies,

  4. Sad to read of John’s passing. John was a good friend, a solid student and a great collaborator as we navigated our way through school and graduated together from Weir High School in 1974. May God Bless John and everyone who loves him. Walt Tuchalski Gettysburg, PA 17325

  5. May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ comfort your family in this time of sadness. I knew John from kindergarten, Cove School and then junior high and high school. He was so smart. When he started Youth Ecology Services (YES) in junior high, i joined John and John Koval at a cleanup project at the Women’s Club Bird Sanctuary on Brookline Drive. Our parents were friends at PVCC. My sincere sympathy on John’s passing. – Randy Fenske, Cary NC. fpeter55@icloud.com

  6. John was my classmate and friend throughout high school. We met a few times in the last 40 years to catch up on each other’s lives. He was so intelligent and very kind. I was sorry to hear of his passing.

  7. Over all the years and miles we remained life long friends. From teaching me to drive stick shift in your Mach 1 as a teenager to hiking in Ohio’s Cuyahoga National park I enjoyed your company and friendship. Rest In Peace, John Craig Bushman

  8. And I know that I won’t ever change ’cause we’ve been friends through rain or shine for such a long, long time.

  9. May God rest his soul, and give comfort to his family. We were all “downtown kids” years ago. Memory eternal.

  10. He was one of my best and dearest friends. I am gutted over this news. I love you, John Plesa, right down the line. All my heart goes out to his family. What a stellar, hilarious, intelligent man. RIP.


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