John James Haslam
July 27, 1917 ~ May 19, 2010
John James Haslam
Age 92, of Honey Brook, PA, formerly of Vienna, Virginia died peacefully on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at his home at Tel Hai Retirement Community, following a long illness. His life was well lived and was a blueprint for younger family members to come after him.
John was born on July 27, 1917, in Logan, WV. John was raised in Monaville, WV where as a youngster, he and his mother ran the Monaville YMCA. He was the son of the late Gertrude Turnell Salino and Francesco Salino. He was the adopted son of the late Mary Ann Wall Haslam and William Haslam. John was the husband of Thelma P.(Powell) Haslam, with whom he shared 66 years of marriage. John and Thelma were residents of Vienna, Virginia for over 50 years.
John attended Morris Harvey College in Charleston, WV and it is there that he learned to fly during Naval flight training school. Due to an injury, he had to discontinue his Naval flight officer's training and he continued teaching at the flight school during WWII. He was later stationed in Palowan, Phillipines during WWII with Acorn 52.
John was a purchasing agent for DECO Electronics, in Leesburg, VA for many years. He was responsible for purchasing all of the components of the telescope and communications satellite installation at Arrecibo, Puerto Rico. John was the purchasing director responsible for supply acquisitioning for the U.S. Navy Communication Moon Relay System. This four station network linked Washington and Hawaii in the first operational communications system to use a celestial body as a passive reflector. He later continued his career in purchasing while working for Sanders Associates of Nashua, NH.
John was a devoted community volunteer during his 50 years of residing in the town of Vienna, VA. He was a 45 year, active member of the Vienna Lions Club, a Mason, and an active member of C.H.O. or Churches Helping Others. He continually worked as a volunteer on the various maintenance needs of the Vienna Presbyterian Church. John often drove various community members to doctor's appointments and was known as one who was always ready to help others.
He was an inventive, creative person who always had a woodworking project, a building project or an active hobby. Some of his obbies included lapidary, gemology, metal sculpture and decoy art. He built a carport and family room addition to his home. His retirement occupation was centered around his custom picture framing business which he ran out of his home.
John and his wife, Thelma, enjoyed travel and trips to visit John's relatives in Sezze, and Biella, Italy. At home in Vienna, they were very involved with small church group activities and could be relied upon to join in making homemade apple butter each fall.
John was a vibrant, entertaining guy who could tell a joke in the blink of an eye. He will be sorely missed and is survived by his wife, Thelma Powell Haslam, daughter, Carla Haslam Herkner, son-in-law, David Herkner and granddaughter, Dana Goodwin Schuetter and her husband, Scott Schuetter. He is also survived by two great grandchildren, Cade and Alice Schuetter.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
Age 92, of Honey Brook, PA, formerly of Vienna, Virginia died peacefully on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at his home at Tel Hai Retirement Community, following a long illness. His life was well lived and was a blueprint for younger family members to come after him.
John was born on July 27, 1917, in Logan, WV. John was raised in Monaville, WV where as a youngster, he and his mother ran the Monaville YMCA. He was the son of the late Gertrude Turnell Salino and Francesco Salino. He was the adopted son of the late Mary Ann Wall Haslam and William Haslam. John was the husband of Thelma P.(Powell) Haslam, with whom he shared 66 years of marriage. John and Thelma were residents of Vienna, Virginia for over 50 years.
John attended Morris Harvey College in Charleston, WV and it is there that he learned to fly during Naval flight training school. Due to an injury, he had to discontinue his Naval flight officer's training and he continued teaching at the flight school during WWII. He was later stationed in Palowan, Phillipines during WWII with Acorn 52.
John was a purchasing agent for DECO Electronics, in Leesburg, VA for many years. He was responsible for purchasing all of the components of the telescope and communications satellite installation at Arrecibo, Puerto Rico. John was the purchasing director responsible for supply acquisitioning for the U.S. Navy Communication Moon Relay System. This four station network linked Washington and Hawaii in the first operational communications system to use a celestial body as a passive reflector. He later continued his career in purchasing while working for Sanders Associates of Nashua, NH.
John was a devoted community volunteer during his 50 years of residing in the town of Vienna, VA. He was a 45 year, active member of the Vienna Lions Club, a Mason, and an active member of C.H.O. or Churches Helping Others. He continually worked as a volunteer on the various maintenance needs of the Vienna Presbyterian Church. John often drove various community members to doctor's appointments and was known as one who was always ready to help others.
He was an inventive, creative person who always had a woodworking project, a building project or an active hobby. Some of his obbies included lapidary, gemology, metal sculpture and decoy art. He built a carport and family room addition to his home. His retirement occupation was centered around his custom picture framing business which he ran out of his home.
John and his wife, Thelma, enjoyed travel and trips to visit John's relatives in Sezze, and Biella, Italy. At home in Vienna, they were very involved with small church group activities and could be relied upon to join in making homemade apple butter each fall.
John was a vibrant, entertaining guy who could tell a joke in the blink of an eye. He will be sorely missed and is survived by his wife, Thelma Powell Haslam, daughter, Carla Haslam Herkner, son-in-law, David Herkner and granddaughter, Dana Goodwin Schuetter and her husband, Scott Schuetter. He is also survived by two great grandchildren, Cade and Alice Schuetter.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
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Our love and sympathy to Thelma, Carla and family. May the wonderful memories help you through this difficult time. Hold them close in your heart and think of them often. Stevie, Julie and Ellen
We are so sorry we won’t actually be there with you but will be with you in spirit. We have so many wonderful memories of John and are so thankful to have known him. Special times were celebrating your 50th and the wonderful help with apple butter for Cherry Hill! With our love, Joan and George
John epitomized the Lions motto WE SERVE
Dear Carla & Thelma: We were sorry to read about John’s passing. As neighbor’s for 15 years we always looked upon John as a father to Ev & myself and a grandfather to our children. Every memory we have of John is a warm and loving memory. In 15 years I can’t ever recall a moment of anger from John. Just that smile… and twinkle in his eyes. He will be missed by everyone who knew him. We share your loss. We will keep John in our daily prayers. God bless you Carla & Thelma.
Dear Carla and Thelma, I have a lot of fond memories of my childhood because of John. He never got mad when I kicked the soccer ball into the yard. I’m very sorry for your loss.
Dear Carla and Thelma Today’s Banner had a small notice of John’s death. We’re sorry we didn’t find out sooner. Johnny was a dear friend, a GOOD man and a joy to be with. Our thoughts and prayers are with you both. Wick and Pauline Sammons
Thelma and Carla, Our thoughts and prayers are with you. John was a great friend and neighbor. Almost daily I use the Pentagon desk he acquired for me. Lon wants us to offer his condolences. We all send our love.