John T. “Jay” Stanchio, age 78, of Nixa, Missouri passed away on Saturday, October 17, 2020 after battling with a short illness at Mercy Hospital.
Jay was born on Monday, June 15, 1942 in Glen Cove, Long Island, NY to parents Martha and Edward Stanchio. On January 4, 1961 Jay joined the United States Army. During his service Jay united in marriage to Elaine Anchors Stanchio on June 22, 1963 in Dania, Florida. He had two children, daughter Ann Judy and adopted son David Charles.
While proudly serving in the United States Army Jay deployed overseas multiple times during conflicts. His first tour was to Korea in 1961 through 1962, where he later deployed there again in 1965 through 1966. He toured Vietnam through 1968 to 1969 and later again in 1970 through 1971. He was also deployed to Germany though the years of 1975 to 1977. Jay retired from the United States Army on May 31, 1983 after 22 years of service. After his retirement Jay worked in Civil Services for the United States Government as an Air Traffic Control Instructor for 19 years, retiring from that in November 2001. During his military career Jay obtained his GED in 1965 and achieved a multitude of Certificates and College Credits. He attended Army Aviation Community College in Ozark, Alabama after his retirement.
From the years of 2002 to 2005 Jay helped at Arc of the Ozarks and at the American Legion Post 434 in Nixa, Missouri. Aside from serving and helping others Jay enjoyed to fish, camp, being a snowbird, and loved playing poker and bingo with family and friends. Jay was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents; Martha and Edward Stanchio, his three brothers; Edward, Paul and Robert, his twin sisters; Natalie and Rosemary, numerous aunts and uncles, and one granddaughter; Crystal Tocci.
Jay is survived by his loving wife Elaine Anchors Stanchio, his daughter Ann Judy (Gary Smith), adopted son David Charles, his grandchildren; John, Elizabeth, Daniel, Donavan and Virginia, 10 great-grandchildren, his brother and sister in law; Charles and Rhea Anchors, numerous nieces and nephews, and a host of other family and friends.
There will be a Memorial Visitation held for Jay Stanchio on Monday, October 26, 2020 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Greenlawn Funeral Home South in Springfield, Missouri.