John Vislocky Jr., 92, fell asleep in the Lord, Thursday, May 2, 2013, after 2.5 weeks in the hospital and a brief stay of four days at the Green Mountain Nursing Home in Colchester. He was born April 18, 1921, in Manhattan, NY, the son of John and Anna (Hlinka) Vislocky. He is a graduate of Commerce High School in New York City, Class of 1939.
John spent his youth in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Lower East Side with a Russian Orthodox religious upbringing. He sang in choir and folk group, played saxophone and piano and was very active in sports.
John quickly became an accomplished athlete, having set numerous championships in track and field, especially the high jump; he broke many sporting records in high school as well as Boys Club. He set the PSAL Indoor and Outdoor High Jump Championships school record, won the Manhattan High Jump Championship and was a member of the New York Athletic Club.
He enlisted in the United States Coast Guard from 1942 to 1946. As a second class petty officer, Vislocky continued to compete in the high jump while serving.
He married the love of his life, Genevieve Hector, in New Jersey on September 27, 1947. They made their home in Fords and Flanders, New Jersey, until relocating to Waitsfield, VT, in June 2005.
He worked for the Hartford Insurance Group from 1947 to 1991, retiring as an assistant manager of Assigned Risk in Parsippany, NJ, and attended Rutgers University.
He was a tenor soloist in choir, Oratorio and Opera performances and toured England as a member of Morris County Choral Society.
John won 1946, 1947, 1948 and 1950 National High Jump Championships and won numerous high jump championships and held records – Indoor and Outdoor for Senior and Junior Metropolitan Games, Millrose Games, NYAC games, Boston AA games, Knights of Columbus games, Philadelphia Inquirer games, Canadian Games in Montreal, and many other meets. He qualified for the 1948 High Jump Final Olympic tryouts. High jump on record 6’8” (unofficial 7 feet). Master Track and Field and Senior Olympics; competitor, undefeated in NJ High Jump Championships, Senior Olympics – gold in discus, shot put, javelin and high jump. High Jump Chief Official for Millrose Games, National Championships, NYAC Games, U.S. Mobil Championships and was an Alternate High Jump Official for the 1984 Olympic Games. “Who’s Who” Western Roll High Jump Award, 1949 Outstanding Athlete for NYAC, 1950 Outstanding Club Athlete in New Jersey Award.
He enjoyed music, tennis, coaching high school softball and track.
He is survived by his wife, Genevieve of Waitsfield; children, Barbara A. Clarke of Waitsfield, John Vislocky III of Ogdensburg, NJ; in-laws, Walter Clarke and Jeannette Ayres Vislocky; grandchildren, John Julian Vislocky and Rachel Vislocky; nieces and nephews, Pat Markley, Peter Voigt, Joan York, John Superdock and Denise Cuomo; predeceased siblings, Matilda Superdock, Robert Vislocky and Ann Aneralla.
In addition to a remarkable sporting career, accomplished musician with a beautiful lyrical tenor voice, devoted husband and caring father, John is known for his great sense of humor, loving heart and inspirational grace of spirit in aging.
Calling hours were conducted Sunday, May 5, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Kingston Funeral Home, 35 Slate Avenue, in Northfield. Funeral services were held Monday, May 6, at 1 p.m. at St. Jacob of Alaska’s Church in Northfield Falls, followed by burial in the Northfield Falls Cemetery. Flowers or donations may be made in his memory to the Green Mountain Nursing Home Activity Fund, 475 Ethan Allen Avenue, Colchester, VT 05446.
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