John R. Koch (Butch) was born August 19, 1941 to Carmela & John Koch. He was an only child filled with mischief and ambition. He was the only boy born into the family in 25 years. His Italian grandparents arrived in New York through Ellis Island coming from Sicily and Naples. His dad's family migrated from Warsaw, Poland.
John started working at age 10 delivering newspapers, shining shoes at a barbershop and shoveling snow for neighbors who needed help. He attended Flushing High School and decided to join the U.S. Army for 4 years. He did his basic training at Fort Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina before being shipped to Stuttgart, Germany for the rest of his tour of duty. While in the Army one Christmas, John took out a loan to purchase a plane ticket back to New York to surprise his family. His love of old-fashioned family values and service to country stayed with him, throughout his life, until he passed away on July 8, 2024 at the age of 82.
John worked 36 years for Metropolitan Life Insurance company starting as a sales agent in 1968. He was sent to Stuttgart, Germany to service the military and their families from 1981-1983. During his time in Germany, he not only serviced the military but was able to travel with his young family to ten countries - a once in a lifetime opportunity to advance his career and show his children a world that they would not have known had he not accepted the position. John was transferred to Jacksonville, Fl. in 1985, as Branch Manager, where his hard work and dedication helped make his office #1 in the State of Florida. In 1991, John retired from Met. Life in 2002.
Upon his retirement, John dedicated his time, talent and treasure by volunteering at the Italian American Club in Mandarin, Fl. He served as President of the club for 7 years and was Chairman of the Board for 6 years. During his service at the club, John increased the membership and used his family recipes and culinary talents. John not only used these talents to raise money for the club; but, he and his volunteers served the community by volunteering at Camp I Am Special, the annual fashion show and luncheon at St. Matthews, Year of the Priest dinner held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, and Gabriel House at Mayo Clinic. His signature meatballs were legend.
John's generous, loving heart never said no to anyone who needed help. He loved to party and entertain at his home. Everyone was always welcome and treated to a delicious Italian dinner. John is survived by his wife, Patricia; daughter, Alison (Shawn Gregory); son, John (Marci); and four grandchildren, whom he loved with all his heart: Emma, Gianna, Andie and Beau.
A viewing will be held at Ponte Vedra Valley Funeral Home on Thursday, June 18th from 4:00pm to 8:00pm. A funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, in Mandarin, at 10:00am on Friday, June 19th, with the graveside service immediately following at St. Joseph's Cemetery. Following the graveside service, a reception will be held in the Cody Center (on the grounds at St. Joseph's). In lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider making a donation to the Mandarin Food Bank, in honor of John.
