John "Jay" Zaleskas died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 85.

John was born in Larksville and moved to Wilkes-Barre, where he attended

Coughlin High School. After a stint in the army, he graduated from Kings College

and earned a Master's Degree at the University of Scranton.

John married Irene Myers on October 2, 1952 and soon began his teaching career

at Lake-Lehman where he also served as head coach in basketball, baseball,

wrestling and as assistant coach in football. He was promoted to Assistant

Principal and then Principal at Lake Lehman, and retired in 1990. After

retiring, John returned to work two terms at Lake-Lehman as "Acting

Superintendent of Schools". In 2004 the new Lake Lehman High School Gymnasium

was named in his honor.

He chaired and co-chaired the Junior High and High School District Wrestling

Tournaments for over 20 years, and was vice-president of the Wyoming Valley

wrestling League for 7 years. He was a volunteer fireman and enjoyed

coordinating the yearly fireman's fair at Harveys Lake. He became a Mason of

the George M. Dallas Lodge and was an Irem Shriner.

He is survived by his wife Irene, children JoAnn Ralphs, Irene Sankey, Jayne

Attardo, John Zaleskas and Jean Zaleskas and grandchildren Christopher and

Lauren Ralphs, Alison Sankey, Mike Attardo, Gabrielle Attardo, John, Daniel and

Andrea Zaleskas and Zachary Zaleskas.

Everyone is invited to a Memorial service to be held at the John M. Zaleskas

Gymnasium on Sunday, June 8 at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial

contributions may be sent to: The Lake Lehman Foundation. In memory of John

Zaleskas, P.O. Box 38, Lehman, PA 18627. A private interment will be in the Perrigo Cemetery, Harveys Lake, at the convenience of the family.

Arrangements are by the Curtis L. Swanson funeral Home, Inc., Pikes Creek.