John Robert Black

Semi-per Fidelis - Always Faithful! Major John Robert Black died peaceful on February 20, 2017 surrounded by his family. John was born March 8, 1931 in Rye, NY to William and Gertrude Black. He grew up in Rye, one of eight siblings, attended the Catholic elementary school and graduated from Rye High School. He was the first person (as Rye, HS) to break the five minute mile in track. As a youth John always excelled in sports: running, pole vault, football. He enlisted as a Private in the Marine Corps in 1949, serving in the Korean War and Vietnam War in recon operations. Following his enlisted service, he took a commission in the United States Marine Corps and served until 1972. Retirement lead him to FTU (now the University of Central Florida) where he graduated with a degree in business. Shortly after graduation John opened an air-conditioning business in Satellite Beach, Florida - Complete Air and Heat. This successful business has been in operation since 1975 and is now owned by his son (and family). As an adult John continued his love of sports and the outdoors most especially golf, traveling, and joking with friends. John is preceded in death by his parents, Vince Black (brother), Tom Black (brother, Marian Fredricks (sister), Carol Maragnano (sister), and Chuck Black (brother). He is survived by his wife, Carol, St. Cloud, FL; two children Diane Bush (Terry) Melbourne, FL, and Curt Black (Gini) Satellite Beach, FL, from his first marriage to Dorothy McGill Black; four grandchildren - Lindsey Imbs (Sean), Scott Bush (Jessie), Jon Black (Katie), Heather Black, seven great-grandchildren; brother Jim Black, Arkansas, sister Barbara McConville, Connecticut; and step-son John Vickers. The family will receive friends on Friday, February 24th from 10:30 - 11am at Fisk Funeral Home, St. Cloud, with a Service at 11am. Interment to follow at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery at 2pm with full Military Honors. John will be remembered as a free spirited Marine who acknowledged no obstacle to achieve his goals, and a very determined man who had more lives than a cat. Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000 Dept. 142 Memphis, TN 38148-0142, or www.stjude.org. Arrangements under the care of Fisk Funeral Home, 1107 Massachusetts Ave., St. Cloud, FL 34769 (407) 892-2155

John Robert Black

March 8, 1931 - February 20, 2017